I'm new to all this... I've just got a Leopard Gecko and cage. I'm not sure about the heat Mat. I need to leave this on all day? Is it safe to do this, for my Gecko and for safty? pls put my mind to rest...

I dont keep Leo's so dont know if they need 24 hour heat, but the mat WILL need to be on a stat so that it doesn't burn you lizard, if its on a stat then it should be ok left on as far as safety in concerned.

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To put your mind at ease and for safety it is best to use a mat stat thermostat.

This is an automatic device which the heat mat plugs into. There is a probe which goes into the viv which sense the temperature, when the temperature is too high, it turns the heat mat off. When the temperature is too low, it turns the heat mat back on.

This will ensure that the heat is 100% correct, with no chance of overheating and burning, or getting too cold either!

They start at about £20-25 for the mat stat and you can get them at your local reptile store or online.

If you don't want to use one you will need to get a thermometer in there and try and judge how hot it's getting, to know if you need to have it on in the day or not

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Thank you. This is helpful and I will do that. I feel better for knowing now.

i keep a leo and her heat mat is on the inside on a side wall, i leave a light on with it during the day, this keeps the viv at a nice 30-32 degrees and at night turn the light off but keep mat on, this lowers temp to about 22degrees. i have bought a mat stat but havn't set it up yet, the weather isnt warm enough yet to overheat, you will deff need a mat stat as the summer comes in so it turns the mat off when it reaches your set max temp. have fun i love my gecko!