Sarasinorum Gecko Lighting

Sarasinorum geckos are nocturnal to crepuscular, becoming most active at dusk and through the night. Their lighting requirements are similar to crested and gargoyle geckos — modest by reptile standards, but a consistent setup supports natural behaviour, health and plant growth in bioactive vivariums.

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Do Sarasinorum Geckos Need UVB?

Like other New Caledonian geckos, Sarasinorum geckos have historically been kept without UVB using D3 supplementation alone. However, low-level UVB provides genuine benefits:

Supports natural vitamin D3 synthesis for calcium absorption and healthy bone density
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. Sarasinorum geckos fall within Ferguson Zone 1. Avoid high-output desert UVB bulbs entirely. Always ensure the enclosure has shaded areas the gecko can retreat to during the day.

Day/Night Light Cycle

A consistent photoperiod is important for regulating natural behaviour and can support seasonal breeding activity.

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

Sarasinorum geckos are sensitive to disturbance during their dark period. Avoid bright room lighting near the enclosure late at night, and never use red or blue night lights — geckos can see these wavelengths and they disrupt the dark period.

Lighting for Planted Bioactive Setups

Sarasinorum geckos do very well in naturalistic, planted bioactive vivariums. Live plants need adequate light to thrive — a full-spectrum LED or combined UVB/UVA T5 tube serves both the gecko and the plants simultaneously. Ensure there are shaded areas in the enclosure so your gecko can retreat from the light during the day.

Lighting to Avoid

Basking bulbs and heat lamps — Sarasinorum geckos do not need 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 — disrupt the dark period; use no supplemental light overnight