Although many people think leopard geckos are nocturnal, the proper term to refer to them is crepuscular since they tend to be active in the morning and evening. Nocturnal creatures stay up and go around their business at night and spend the day sleeping. On the other hand, Leos are active during the twilight hours in the morning and evening.
Are Leos Nocturnal?
If you have been researching Leos, you might have come across publications that refer to these spotted friends as nocturnal. However, just because Leos sleep during the day doesn’t mean they are nocturnal.
Nocturnal creatures scavenge, exercise, hunt, and get active when darkness creeps in and spend the entire day sleeping. In contrast, leopard geckos do all these in the early hours when the sun is rising and in the late evening when the sun is setting. This is the primary reason they are called crepuscular rather than nocturnal.
However, it’s crucial to note that these creatures may also engage in various activities outside these hours. Instinctively, Leos are opportunistic hunters, so don’t be surprised if you see them savoring insects during the day or hear them strolling around their cages at night. But primarily, Leos are usually active in the twilight hours.
Why Is It Crucial To Know When Leopard Geckos Are Active?
Like human beings, leopard geckos are habitual creatures. This means that they will do things like feeding during a specific period. If you fail to know when they become active beforehand, they might bring some inconveniences to your life.
Since geckos are active at dusk and dawn, this is the best time to serve them food. However, feeding them out of these hours might interfere with their metabolism and make them stressed.
Conversely, when you bring a Leo home, you must train it to socialize and interact with human beings. Like feeding, leopard geckos will be more receptive when handled during the morning and evening hours when they are active. Trying to pet or interact with them any other time may alter their routine and affect their well-being.
When Is the Best Time to Interact with Your Gecko?
Since leos are most active in the morning and evening, these are the best times to pet, tame, and interact with them. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t handle them during the day.
Actually, the more time you spend interacting with your scaly friend, the tamer it will become, and the stronger your relationship will be. The best way to interact with a pet reptile is to get it to do things naturally.
For instance, you can allow them to sleep on you, as they will be overjoyed to relish the warmth from your body since it’s something they are hardwired to seek for. As they become accustomed to being held and petted, they will start exhibiting curious behaviors toward you and adapt well to the routine you create for their care.
Although geckos don’t mind waking from their naps for handling, try to restrict the amount of time you spend interacting with them since they also require alone time.
Why Is My Gecko Staying Awake During the Day?
It’s not uncommon to see leopard geckos move around or stay awake during the day. Although they are said to be crepuscular, they occasionally feel safe to emerge from the hideouts for shorter periods during the day.
However, they should not be awake all day, every day. The longer the duration and frequency of their daytime appearance, the more likely there is something wrong with their health or terrarium.
5 Reasons Why Your Leopard Gecko Keeps Coming Out During the Day
If your reptile friend stays awake for extended periods during the day, it might be due to the following:
Lighting Problems
Overexposure to light might disrupt a gecko’s sleep-wake cycle. It also affects their diet since they use UVB light to break down vitamin D3 in their bodies.
Conversely, their skin can get burned if they spend too much time basking. On the other hand, giving them too much vitamin D3 can cause vitamin D poisoning. Therefore, check the lighting if you see your gecko coming out too many times for longer during the day.
Being In Unfamiliar Territory
When Leos are introduced to a new tank, tank buddy, or even handler, they might get nervous. They must explore and familiarize themselves with the new environment before getting comfortable and sleeping during the day.
Before that, they’ll keep coming out of their hides and try to watch out for signs of danger around the cage.
When There Are No Adequate Hiding Spots
Leopard geckos need several hiding spots where they can retreat to escape the full glare of light and sleep. If you don’t provide enough places for Leos to hide, don’t be surprised if they keep resurfacing or refuse to sleep during the day.
Noise Pollution
Like human beings, leopard geckos will need a quiet environment when sleeping. Leopard geckos will have trouble sleeping amidst the noise if their cage is next to the playground, highway, or a dog’s kennel.
Improper Temperature and Humidity
No matter the time of the day, high temperature and humidity may force Leos to come out of their hiding. Depending on your tank setup, you need to find a heat source that aligns with the terrarium’s needs.
For tiny enclosures, heat pads will suffice. You can use heat bulbs or a combo of a heat bulb or heat pad for larger tanks
