Gecko Heating Guide

Match the heat source to the species

Ground-dwelling geckos like leopard geckos evolved to absorb warmth from sun-baked surfaces — under-tank heaters suit them. Arboreal New Caledonian geckos like gargoyle and crested geckos usually do well at room temperature and only need a ceramic emitter if the room drops below 70°F.

When in doubt, research where your gecko species lives and how it thermoregulates in the wild, then copy that mechanism.

The gradient matters more than the number

Geckos regulate by moving between zones. Every enclosure needs a warm side, a cool side, and a smooth gradient between them — a single "average" temperature forces the animal to choose between too hot and too cold.

Measure both ends daily with a probe thermometer, and spot-check surfaces with an infrared temp gun.

Non-negotiable safety rules

Every heat source runs through a thermostat. Heat rocks are never safe. Basking bulbs sit behind a guard or outside reach. And heat sources get replaced on schedule — a failing ceramic emitter often shows no visible sign before it dies.