Chahoua Gecko Lighting

Chahoua Gecko Lighting Guide

Chahoua geckos are nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk, dawn and overnight. Their lighting requirements are relatively simple compared to many reptiles, but providing the right setup supports their health, natural behaviour and — if you have a planted vivarium — your plants too.

Back to the Chahoua Care Sheet | Gecko Care Hub

Do Chahoua Need UVB?

Like crested geckos, Chahoua have historically been kept without UVB lighting, sustained by vitamin D3 supplementation in their diet. However, growing evidence suggests that low-level UVB offers meaningful benefits:

  • Supports natural vitamin D3 synthesis for calcium absorption and bone health
  • May improve activity levels, colouration and overall wellbeing
  • Helps regulate natural circadian rhythms
  • Particularly beneficial for juveniles, breeding females and animals that are slow to thrive

If providing UVB, use a low-output bulb — a 2.0 or 5% UVB T5 or T8 tube is appropriate. Chahoua fall within Ferguson Zone 1, so avoid high-output desert UVB bulbs entirely.

Day/Night Light Cycle

A consistent photoperiod is important for regulating your Chahoua’s activity and sleep patterns, and for supporting seasonal breeding behaviour.

  • Summer: 14 hours light / 10 hours dark
  • Winter: 10 hours light / 14 hours dark
  • Use a plug-in timer to automate the cycle and keep it consistent throughout the year.

Avoid exposing your gecko to bright light late at night. Chahoua are sensitive to disturbance during their dark period and may become stressed if room lighting regularly disrupts their night cycle.

Lighting for Live Plants

Chahoua thrive in densely planted, naturalistic vivariums and bioactive setups. If you have live plants, they will need adequate light to grow well. A full-spectrum LED or UVB/UVA T5 tube provides light for both plants and gecko simultaneously. Ensure there are shaded areas in the enclosure so your Chahoua can retreat from the light during the day.

Lighting to Avoid

  • Basking bulbs and heat lamps — Chahoua do not need or benefit from basking spots and can overheat easily
  • High-output UVB bulbs (10%+) — designed for desert species; far too intense for a forest gecko
  • Red or blue night lights — Chahoua can see these wavelengths; use no light at all during the dark period

Recommended Setup

  • A low-output UVB T5 tube (2.0 or 5%) on a 10–14 hour timer depending on season
  • OR a full-spectrum LED for planted setups, paired with D3 supplementation
  • No additional heat source unless room temperature drops below 18°C

Shop Supplies

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Chahoua Care Complete

You’ve now covered all the key Chahoua care topics. Head back to the Chahoua Care Sheet for a full overview, or explore more species in the Gecko Care Hub.