Leopard geckos have become a popular choice for reptile enthusiasts. When bringing home a leopard gecko, ensuring their habitat is properly heated is crucial for their health and well-being. Among the various heating methods available, overhead heating and under tank heating are two primary options, and there are many debates on which is more suitable. Both have their advantages and drawbacks, making it essential to understand their differences to choose the most suitable option for your scaly friend.
Overhead heating involves providing heat from above the enclosure, typically through heat lamps, radiant heat panels (RHPs), deep heat projectors (DHPs) or ceramic heat emitters (CHEs). This method most closely resembles the warmth of the sun, creating a natural basking spot for leopard geckos.
Under tank heating involves placing a heating pad or heat tape beneath a portion of the enclosure floor, providing a heat source from below.
Leopard Gecko Heating Pads: Everything You Need to Know
Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles, and creating the proper environment is key to their health and happiness. One of the most important elements of a leopard gecko habitat is providing proper heating. Leopard geckos are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Using a heating pad is one of the best ways to provide consistent belly heat for your gecko.
What Temperature Does a Leopard Gecko Need?
Leopard geckos require a temperature gradient in their habitat, with a warm side around 88-92°F and a cooler side around 70-75°F This allows them to thermoregulate by moving between the warmer and cooler areas as needed. The floor temperature on the warm side should be 88-92°F
Why Use a Heating Pad for Leopard Geckos?
Heating pads, also called undertank heaters or heat mats, are designed to go under the tank to warm it from below. This provides belly heat which leopard geckos need for proper digestion. Heating pads are safe, efficient, and easy to use. Unlike heat rocks which can cause burns, heat pads warm gradually and evenly. Overhead heating bulbs dry out the tank environment too much. That’s why an undertank heating pad is the best primary heat source for a leopard gecko.
Choosing the Right Size Heating Pad
It’s important to get a heating pad that is the proper size for your leopard gecko enclosure. The heat mat should cover about 1/3 of the floor space, creating a sufficient warm area while still allowing a temperature gradient. Here are some general guidelines on choosing the right size heating pad:
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For a 10 gallon tank, use a heat mat around 6 x 8 inches or 8 x 12 inches
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For a 20 gallon tank, use a heat mat around 8 x 12 inches
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For a 40 gallon breeder tank, use a larger heat mat around 8 x 18 inches
Using Thermostats and Thermometers
A key part of safely and effectively using a leopard gecko heat mat is proper temperature control and monitoring. Reptile thermostats allow you to set the ideal floor temperature range so the heating pad does not risk overheating. Place a digital thermometer with a probe on the warm side substrate to monitor the floor temperature. Checking temperatures frequently ensures your gecko has a comfortable and safe heat range.
Proper Heating Pad Setup
Always follow the specific directions provided for your particular heating pad model. In general, undertank heating pads designed for glass tanks affix to the outer bottom surface with adhesive. For wooden vivariums, the heat mat can go inside on the floor underneath the substrate. Be sure to leave space under the tank for air flow when using undertank heating.
Leopard Gecko Heating Pad Recommendations
There are many good leopard gecko heat mat options to choose from. Based on online customer reviews and product specifications, here are some top picks:
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Zilla Reptile Heating Pad – reliable brand,safe low voltage option
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Flukers Under Tank Heater – budget-friendly,trusted reptile brand
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Vivosun Reptile Heat Mat – waterproof design,good for humid tanks
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ZooMed ReptiTherm® Heating Pad – popular for leopard geckos, even heat
By choosing an appropriate sized undertank heating pad, using a thermostat and thermometer, and safely setting up the heat mat, you can easily provide proper belly heat for your leopard gecko to thrive. Give your gecko the habitat temperature range they need with a quality heating pad.
Making the Right Choice…
When deciding between overhead heating and under tank heating for your leopard gecko, consider factors such as the size and setup of the enclosure.
If you prioritize mimicking the animal’s environment and providing visible light to create a natural day/night cycle, overhead heating may be the preferred option. On the other hand, if you are growing out a baby or quarantining an adult, under tank heating could be the better choice.
In many cases, a combination of both methods may provide the best of both worlds, creating a diverse thermal gradient within the enclosure that allows your leopard gecko to choose the optimal temperature for its comfort and well-being.
Ultimately, the key to success lies in designing the leopard gecko’s habitat to suit your animal’s needs and creating a carefully tailored heating setup that meets those requirements effectively.
For more information on this topic, check out our article on Leopard Gecko Heating and Lighting as well as Myths and Misconceptions about Heating for Reptiles.
Ultratherm Reptile Heat Pad, Under the Tank Heater
FAQ
Do leopard geckos need a heating pad?
Much smaller and more of a prey species in terms of their natural pecking order, they don’t tend to lie around waiting to get eaten. This has meant that they have evolved to grab their heat from below, on their underside. For this reason, we recommend a heat mat as a source of adequate heat.
Should I leave my leopard geckos heat mat on at night?
Leopard geckos benefit from a drop in nighttime temperature as it helps maintain their circadian rhythm. If your normal household temperature doesn’t drop below 65, you don’t need to provide any supplemental heat at night.
What heat mat should I get for my leopard gecko?
Ideally, you should have overhead incandescent or halogen (best) or DHP (good) as a heat source, plus linear UVB. The combination of halogen plus UVB best replicates natural sunlight. Heat mats are no longer considered proper husbandry except where used to supplement overhead heat.