Winter is the season some love and some hate. But for the owners of leopard gecko, this is the season when they need to be maximum careful about taking their pet out. The temperature lowers and as a result, it becomes uncomfortable for the leopard geckos, which are originally from the warm temperate regions.
The idea of taking the leopard gecko out often scares the owners as they easily catch a cold and if they are in perfect health, they still fall sick after a visit outside in winter. This journey is not only stressful for the little pet reptiles but also for the owners and hence needs to be properly taken care.
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What happens when you take your gecko out in winter?
There can be chances of getting affected by cold shock, which is a result of the drastic low temperature outside. Usually, the houses are warm and cosy inside, due to various kinds of heating systems. That is much desired for the leopard geckos who love to stay in a warm state. But when they are taken outside, the sudden drop in the mercury often results in different kinds of ailment.
Exotic pets often get sick after taken out in winter, and if the pet is already not well and you are taking it to the vet, then it can be of more serious concern.
The reason behind this seriousness is, reptiles are ectothermic in nature. Their body temperature can be regulated by them according to the outer atmosphere. So if you take them out in a chilled morning or evening, they become sick as their body will become colder.
How to take care of leopard gecko when travelling?
After reading the above statement you can be morose to think that you cannot go out with your favourite pet in this winter. But there are solutions to this problem. Certain measures are to be taken before you can take the pet out at cold weather.
Carrying a warm and fuzzy quilt or rug is often much useful. You can keep the leopard gecko warm inside your car by covering it with the rug, only keeping the head free for breathing.
Using a hot water bottle along with the rug is also necessary. This keeps the temperature up and fixed.
Also, you can use latex made glove by filling it with hot water. It will work the same as the hot water bottle, only it will be more secure. But do not pour boiling hot water inside it or it will burn the small pet of yours.
Hand warmers are quite a in fashion now. Also, they are pretty useful this season. Get a good quality hand warmer from the drugstore or sports goods shop. You can also order one from online portals. These ones can come handy when you need to take the pet out and wish to keep the interior of the car warm.
The temperature should not be less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit for the leopard gecko. so you must keep an eye on the temperature of the car.
How to make the car ready for your leopard gecko?
When you plan to take the leopard gecko at winter, you must make sure that the vehicle is pre-warmed before keeping the leopard gecko inside. This is not a complicated process. You can keep the cat heater on for a few minutes and then check the temperature. After the car is well-heated, you can safely let the leopard gecko in the car.
What temperature is too low for the gecko?
You can feel the outside temperature and you may not find it too cold. The reason is you are wearing lots of woolens and you have experienced winters since birth. The case is not so simple with the leopard gecko, as they are most accustomed with the hot and temperature regions.
So while taking the leopard gecko out check the temperature. If the outside is colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit then it is too cold for the pet to go out. Leopard geckos are not supposed to stay in the temperature which is so low, and specifically, they need temperature gradient to stay healthy.
The consequence of gecko getting out in cold weather
Cold weather is fatal for the leopard geckos. They can be impacted if the temperature is too low. This happens when they stay too long in cold weather or the heating system in the enclosure do not work properly. They will not be able to digest food and also it will affect their excretion. Food consumption also becomes lesser.
The immediate effect of the cold weather on the geckos can be much similar to the human, especially the kids. They catch a cold and that result in the blocked nose, difficulty in breathing and so on. Their respiratory tracts get blocked or semi-blocked due to the mucus.
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