A leopard gecko sleeping outside its hide isn’t very common, but if yours isn’t, it’s because it’s either too hot or too cold. Sometimes it’s because of the size, particularly if it’s too small, but it can also be that they are picky for other reasons.
So, you first want to ensure the temperature is comfortable enough for your reptile. Ensure the hide is on the cooler side, which should be at about 75 degrees. Anything lower is considered too cold for them.
If the temperatures are conducive, you need to determine whether the hide is small for the leopard gecko to turn. If they struggle to fit into the entrance or are unable to turn around in it, you will need to make or get a new one.
1. The Hide Is Too Hot
If your leopard gecko doesn’t go into the warmer side, the chances are it’s simply too hot or too warm for their liking. While warming the hide a little bit more than usual may not sound like a big deal, it actually is.
While a warmer hide helps the gecko absorb heat from the belly into the body for proper digestion, it can be uncomfortable for the gecko to sleep in.
With that in mind, you’ll want to do a few things to ensure they aren’t getting too much heat. First, if the hide is heated by the sun, you want to move it to a different location where the sun isn’t shining directly into the tank, which can increase the temperatures.
Another cause of overheating is that the heat lamp or mat is too hot. You want to have a thermostat hooked up to the heat source.
Heat mats, for example, are known to become extremely hot if not checked. Keep in mind that too much heat can be dangerous for your leopard gecko as it can cause heat stroke.
2. The Hide Is Too Cold
This isn’t a common problem, but your leopard gecko may avoid the hide due to the cold. Assuming you have heat lamps or heat mats, you first want to ensure the temperature in the tank is comfortable enough for them. If the temperature drops lower than 750, it means the temperature might be too cold for them.
3. Humidity Issues
Keeping a proper level of humidity can be difficult when it comes to keeping your leopard gecko ideal. RSPCA recommends a humidity level of 30 to 40 percent. Improper humidity levels may cause pneumonia, respiratory infection, and shedding problems in leopard geckos.
As such, your leopard gecko will sleep outside to avoid the moist hide. Furthermore, a leopard gecko suffering from a respiratory illness may experience trouble breathing and decide to sleep out of the cage to get more oxygen.
To fix this, it’s essential that you monitor the humidity using a digital hygrometer. Keeping the humidity at optimum levels helps to assist with shedding. A little-known tip to ensure proper humidity in their enclosure is to place a dampening paper towel under it.
4. Your Leopard Gecko Is Sick
Your leopard may also be sleeping outside its hide because of illness. Although it’s rare, most leopard gecko owners have reported such incidences.
Typically, when your gecko is ill, it will show some odd behaviors, some of which include behavioral changes, i.e., runny poop, lethargy, irregular eating, and sleeping outside of its hide.
Consider treating your little guy immediately if he’s exhibiting two of the above symptoms.
Providing your sick leopard gecko with an immune support supplement can help treat your little guy.
- You can use immune-boosting supplements with powerful natural ingredients that can eliminate respiratory illnesses, eradicate foreign contaminants, kill parasites and improve digestion.
- You can also use this natural herbal blend supplement in case your leopard gecko is suffering from intestinal impaction. In just a few weeks, the problem will be eliminated.
- On the flip side, consider using a calcium supplement if you suspect your little guy is suffering from Metabolic Bone Disease, as this will help strengthen your pet’s bones and digestive system.
You might be wondering how MBD causes your pet to sleep outside its hide. Well, if your leopard gecko has Metabolic Bone Disease, he may be having some deformities making him move slowly, sometimes not moving at all. Therefore, he may be sleeping outside his hide because he’s unable to make his way in.
Consider contacting your reptile vet should you suspect your gecko is suffering from MBD, as it can lead to severe pain or cause death.
5. The Hide Is New
If you just brought a new hide in the cage, it can take some time for the leopard gecko to get used to it and actually use it. Fortunately, they will settle in with time as long as the temperature, size, and humidity are all perfect.
6. The Hide Is Small
If the leopard gecko won’t fit into the hide’s entrance comfortably or can turn around while inside it, it’s too small. For this, you need to look for a bigger hide and hope they will love it.
7. Personal Preference
Just like us, some beds are preferable to others. For example, some of us prefer to have three layers of cover, while others prefer none.
Leopard geckos can exhibit similar behavior when it comes to their hide of choice. It’s probably because they don’t want to sleep in the hide provided. It’s weird, but it can happen sometimes.
Conclusion
There are many reasons your leopard gecko refuses to use the hide, and we have highlighted the most common reasons above. You need to check every reason and eliminate issues such as size, temperature, humidity, illness, etc.