I have a hard time locating my gecko in his vivarium during the day. How long do geckos sleep? Where do geckos sleep and when is the best time for gecko to fall asleep?
If you know the answers to these questions, you will be able to adjust their feeding schedule and engage with them at better or more appropriate times.
In this article, we will get into sleep habits, patterns, length, duration and location of sleeping geckos.
How Long, When and Where Do Geckos Sleep?
Geckos are crepuscular and are mostly active around dawn and dusk. They can sleep for 12 hours on average. Do not disturb your hiding gecko throughout the day because they are at full rest.
Make sure there are hiding locations like a hollowed bark, cardboard tubes or other nesting areas that are dark and away from light sources.
72% of 1552 species of geckos remain active at night, while 430 species are more likely to sleep through the night.
Where is My Gecko Sleeping?
If you don’t see your gecko in their enclosure during the day, it’s because they are asleep. They are looking for the darkest space that is away from light and movement.
Providing shaded areas, artificial or natural structures to hide in and behind. This is where your gecko will spend the better parts of the day.
Do not be concerned if your gecko is sleeping too much during your active hours. Dawn and dusk is when geckos come out to take in the world around them with hunger and curiosity.
Should you taken them outside? See why or or not here.
Why Do Geckos Sleep During The Day?
Geckos such as the famous leopard gecko come from dry arid lands where temperatures skyrocket in the middle of the day. This is not a good time to be looking for food.
These reptiles know when they need to hide from the sun and other active creatures including humans who are more likely to be active under a diurnal cycle.
While geckos are not nocturnal per se, they are considered crepuscular where they are active at dawn and dusk where the weather cools down and visibility still allows them to determine their next moves.
When temperatures are scorching at or above 104°F the weather is too harsh for a gecko to venture out. This is now an adaptation they have developed, even if your home is comfortable during the day.
They are most likely going to continue this habit of disappearing and sleeping somewhere well hidden in their enclosure.
Why Is My Gecko Not Sleeping?
Most geckos sleep at night while you’re asleep as well. 430 out of 1552 gecko species sleep at night. The larger portion of geckos like to sleep during the day for the most part.
Here are four factors that influence their sleep or lack thereof:
- Lightning
- Enclosure setup
- Illness
- Diet
1. Lighting
If the lights are too bright in most areas of their enclosure and the darker spots do not have adequate hiding spaces, your gecko will feel helpless and unwilling to sleep.
Reduce the lighting in the enclosure, vivarium or terrarium during the day.
2. Enclosure Setup
There must be hiding places set up in their habitat. A reptile needs space from you and everything else that is going on throughout the day inside the home or outside the window.
Position them in an area that does not receive a lot of noise, high traffic and make sure you get creative with adding hiding places such as cardboard tubes, hollow tree barks, branches, bushes and plenty of artificial items that you could use to decorate the space without cluttering it.
3. Illness
Sick geckos will not rest deeply. They could be alert or skittish because they know that in their weakened state, they are easier prey for opportunistic predators.
This adaptation causes geckos to remain awake or unwilling to shut down for their regular sleep hours. Visit the vet if your gecko is not sleeping and acting very nervous all the time.
4. Diet
Feed your geckos when they are supposed to be active. This is the dawn and dusk hours. If you are feeding your gecko at your favored times during the day, you might be messing up their sleep schedule.
I would not want to be asleep and miss my chance at a meal being offered to me. This gecko stays awake at the wrong times to receive your food.
Leopard gecko brumation follows steps that you should know about from the tips and clues in this linked article.
Do Geckos Have Eyelids?
Some do and some do not. Leopard geckos and fat-tailed geckos definitely have eyelids while crested, Tokay or house geckos do not. You cannot tell if your gecko is sleeping when simply looking at their eyelids.
Better yet, look closer into geckos who do not have eyelids. If they have dilated pupils, this means they are most likely sleeping. A curled up gecko who is in a dark area with some leaves or items to provide shade or shelter around them is probably asleep.
Some geckos sleep pressed to the glass and even in an upside down position. It’s better if they do not do this and more often than not, the crested gecko is more often seen upside down.
The problem lies with floppy tail syndrome developing and causing them to have issues with their backbone, pooping, defecation and laying of eggs.
Tips To Help Your Gecko Sleep Better
- Add more hideouts in the vivarium, terrarium, cage or enclosure.
- Reduce lighting throughout the day.
- Feed your reptile companion at dusk.
- Keep their habitat away from vents and windows.
- Separate your gecko if you have more than one into separate tanks.
- Reduce the volume throughout the day.
- Limit traffic and activity where your gecko should be resting.
- Move the vivarium to an area that doesn’t receive so much traffic or movement around them.
Good night or good day to your sleeping gecko and enjoy this reptile companionship as you get to know your gecko better!
Thank you for visiting PocketPetCentral.com for the best information to help you enjoy the life of your pocket pet companion in a fun, safe & healthy way.
