{"id":540,"date":"2021-07-21T18:12:13","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T18:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beingreptiles.com\/?p=540"},"modified":"2022-10-19T13:33:59","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T13:33:59","slug":"do-crested-geckos-need-uvb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beingreptiles.com\/do-crested-geckos-need-uvb\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Crested Geckos Need UVB? Guide to Light Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’re a reptile pet enthusiast, you’ll know that some species of lizards require UVB lighting in their tank setup to keep them healthy. However, not all lizards have the same requirements. Crested geckos – for example – are a common reptile pet, but when setting up their enclosure, the requirements are a lot different from those of other lizards. So, do crested geckos need UVB?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crested geckos do not need UVB because they are nocturnal, but basking them in low-level UVB lighting for 2-6 hours per day can improve their overall health. You do not need to provide any special lighting and heating for the lizards to be happy and healthy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do crested geckos need UVB or UVA?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Do<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Crested geckos need light to help them maintain their circadian rhythm and bodily functions. Therefore, provide Ultraviolet light (UVA) in the enclosure to help the gecko regulate its natural rhythm of day and night. Also, provide UVB light for a brief period to help crested geckos synthesize vitamin D3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When setting up their vivarium, it is also important to provide some UVC as well in their enclosure to help kill germs and pathogens that can cause the reptile health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike other lizards such as bearded dragons, crested geckos may not require UVB lighting for heat production and synthesis of vitamin D. The gecko can live and thrive in an enclosure that does not have light at night because they are nocturnal (active at night).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What type of light does a crested gecko need?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Crested geckos need natural light during the day to maintain their circadian rhythm. Therefore, during the day, crested geckos should have access to natural light or at least the standard fluorescent lights for a short period of basking.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not provide any lighting for the crested gecko during the night because the lizards are nocturnal and will not require any light. In addition, providing any lighting will interrupt the reptile’s activity and even the normal cycle of day and night, which will not be healthy for them at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should I leave my crested gecko’s light on at night?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Crested geckos do not need light at night because they are nocturnal creatures. Leaving a light on at night will disrupt the natural cycle of day and night, leading to behavioral problems. It is best to let them access natural light for 4-6 hours only every day to keep them healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you provide too might light during the night, crested geckos will find it uncomfortable staying or even moving about in their enclosure. So they will end up hiding in a few dark spots in the enclosure, which means they will not eat properly or even move around freely to drink water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result will be a stressed crested gecko. Even worse, failure to eat will lead to problems of being underweight or even a dehydrated crested gecko<\/a>. That is how important it is for you to switch off the light of your crested gecko’s enclosure at nightfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Light for Crested Geckos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though you won’t need any lighting to keep your crested gecko happy and healthy, you might want to add a UVB lamp to keep the gecko warm and provide a basking spot in the vivarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s scientific evidence that exposure to UV light can help the geckos remain naturally healthy. Here are two best lights for crested geckos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 UVB Mini Compact Fluorescent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Zoo Med has been in business since 1974 and they are one of the leading manufacturers in producing reptile supplies not just for lizards but for other reptiles too, like snakes or turtles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Reptisun 5.0 fluorescent is an excellent lamp for your crested gecko due to the following features and benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Features and benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n