Heating & Lighting Guide for Reptiles

Proper heating and lighting are the foundation of a healthy reptile enclosure. Getting these right means the difference between a thriving animal and one that suffers from preventable health issues. This guide covers heating and lighting best practices for leopard geckos and bearded dragons.

Understanding the Basics

Reptiles are ectotherms — they rely entirely on their environment to regulate body temperature. This means you need to provide a proper thermal gradient (a warm side and a cool side) so your animal can move between zones to self-regulate. Lighting also plays a critical role in circadian rhythm, vitamin D3 synthesis, and overall wellbeing.

Leopard Gecko Heating & Lighting

Heating

Leopard geckos thrive with an overhead basking light paired with a UVB bulb. This is the current best practice and provides the most naturalistic and beneficial setup for your gecko.

Basking spot: 88–90°F
Cool side: 72–78°F
Nighttime: No lower than 65°F

Always verify temperatures using a digital thermometer with a probe or an infrared temp gun. Dial thermometers are inaccurate and should be avoided.

Nighttime Heating — Never Use Red Lights

⚠️ Important: Do not use red, blue, or any colored night lights for heating. Despite the common myth, reptiles can see red light — it disrupts their sleep cycle, causes chronic stress, and interferes with their natural day/night rhythm. Over time this can seriously impact their health.

For nighttime heat, always use a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE). A CHE produces heat without any light, keeping your gecko warm without disturbing their sleep. Pair it with a thermostat to maintain safe temperatures.

Lighting

UVB is strongly recommended for leopard geckos by reptile veterinarians to support vitamin D3 synthesis and long-term health:

Use a 2.0–5.0% UVB bulb
Maintain a 12-hour light / 12-hour dark cycle
Replace UVB bulbs every 6 months — output degrades before the bulb burns out

Bearded Dragon Heating & Lighting

Heating

Bearded dragons are basking reptiles that need intense overhead heat. Use a halogen flood bulb or mercury vapor bulb for the basking spot.

Basking spot: 100–110°F
Cool side: 80–85°F
Nighttime: No lower than 65°F

Nighttime Heating — Never Use Red Lights

⚠️ Important: Red bulbs, blue bulbs, and “night” colored lights are a myth — do not use them. Bearded dragons can see these wavelengths and the light will disrupt their sleep and stress them out over time.

For nighttime warmth, use a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) on a thermostat. If your home stays above 65°F at night, no supplemental nighttime heat is needed at all.

UVB Lighting

UVB is absolutely essential for bearded dragons — without it they cannot produce vitamin D3, which leads to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), a serious and painful condition.

Use a high-output 10.0 or 12% UVB bulb (T5 HO recommended)
The UVB bulb should span at least 2/3 the length of the enclosure
Maintain a 12–14 hour light cycle in summer, 10–12 hours in winter
Replace UVB bulbs every 6 months regardless of visible output

Thermostats Are Non-Negotiable

For both species, always connect your heat sources to a quality thermostat. Without one, heat sources can overheat and cause burns or fires. A thermostat keeps temperatures consistent and your animal safe.

Quick Reference

Setting	Leopard Gecko	Bearded Dragon
Basking Spot	88–90°F	100–110°F
Cool Side	72–78°F	80–85°F
Nighttime Minimum	65°F	65°F
Nighttime Heat Source	CHE + thermostat	CHE + thermostat
UVB Strength	2.0–5.0%	10.0–12%
UVB Replacement	Every 6 months	Every 6 months

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