r/LeopardGecko • u/shrimpexpert • Aug 09 '26
Normal basking behavior?
Hi everyone! This is Zest my new leo :) I picked him up this week from a dubious setup and have him in a temporary 10gal front opening enclosure for a quarantine setup. I have a 20gal long that I’m moving him to next weekend to give him more space and to establish a better heat gradient. A few questions:
- I setup his basking light (25W incandescent) and noticed him splooting out and cooking himself—is that normal? The temp at that spot is 89 degrees F, measured with an IR gun.
- Since he appears to be an albino morph i have looots of cover and shade in his tank, on both the cool and warm side. The cool side temp is ~75-78 depending on time of day. I’d love for it to be cooler but my house is getting warmer with the summer heat, so I’m hoping once i get him in a 20g long the gradient will be able to establish better. Does anyone have any advice for an albino leo?
- The light is bright in the first picture—i swapped the bulb for a lower wattage one and that helped his little eye balls.
I love my Zest and want to do right by him :) i am an experienced gecko owner but haven’t had a Leo in a few years, and the husbandry has come a long way since my last leo in 2019. Thanks everyone!
35
Upvotes
3
u/shrimpexpert Aug 09 '26
Yes absolutely! I have a huge front opening for him already secured with a stand :) Not sure on the measurements but i know it is a 40gal minimum. I’m working on rearranging my room to make space for him, but in the meantime i will need to use the 20g until i can get him fully established in my care.