GECKO MANDARIN BLACK NIGHT - LIGHT (Eublepharis macularius)

GECKO MANDARIN BLACK NIGHT – LIGHT (Eublepharis macularius)

$200.00

Full Description

Here is a dedicated care guide for the Mandarin Black Night (Light) Leopard Gecko — a morph blending the rich pigmentation of the Black Night line with vibrant orange tones from the Mandarin lineage. The “Light” designation generally refers to animals that are not solid black but have lighter body coloration, such as dark gray, charcoal, or black with visible tangerine or orange highlights.

Mandarin Black Night (Light) Leopard Gecko Care Guide

Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius
Morph Genetics:

  • Black Night – line-bred for extreme melanism

  • Mandarin – line-bred for deep orange coloration

  • Light variant – lighter-bodied individuals from this cross (gray to dark brown base with orange patterning)
    Morph Type: Line-bred polygenic traits
    Difficulty: Intermediate

Size & Lifespan

Trait Range
Adult Length 7–10 inches (18–25 cm)
Adult Weight 50–90 grams
Lifespan 15–20 years (captive)

Enclosure Requirements

Tank Size

  • Juvenile: 10–20 gallons

  • Adult: 20–40 gallon breeder (36″x18″ floor space preferred)

Substrate

✅ Safe ❌ Unsafe
Paper towels Loose sand
Reptile carpet Calcium sand
Slate or ceramic tiles Bark or wood chips
Bioactive (advanced setups) Gravel

Hides & Decor

Provide at least three hides:

  1. Warm hide (over heat mat)

  2. Cool hide (for thermoregulation)

  3. Humid hide (aids shedding; moist sphagnum moss or eco-earth)

Additional decor:

  • Rocks, cork bark, fake plants, tunnels for enrichment

️ Heating & Humidity

Zone Temp (°F) Temp (°C)
Warm side 88–92°F 31–33°C
Cool side 75–80°F 24–27°C
Nighttime 68–72°F 20–22°C
Humidity 30–40% ambient, 70–80% in humid hide

Heating

  • Under-tank heater (UTH) on a thermostat is essential for belly heat

  • Optional low-wattage basking bulb if ambient temps are too low

  • Monitor floor temps using a digital probe thermometer

Lighting

  • UVB optional but beneficial: 5% linear UVB (e.g., Arcadia ShadeDweller)

  • Avoid bright or intense white light — Black Night lineage may have light-sensitive eyes

  • Use a 12-hour day/night cycle

  • Provide shaded areas and hides to avoid overstimulation

Feeding & Nutrition

Insect Options

  • Staples: Crickets, dubia roaches, black soldier fly larvae, mealworms

  • Occasional Treats: Superworms, waxworms

Feeding Schedule

Age Frequency
Juvenile Daily
Adult Every 2–3 days

Supplementation

Supplement Frequency
Calcium (no D3) Always available
Calcium + D3 1–2× per week
Multivitamin 1× per week

Always gut-load feeder insects 24 hours before feeding.

Maintenance

  • Daily: Remove feces, refresh water

  • Weekly: Clean hides, spot clean substrate

  • Monthly: Full substrate refresh or enclosure wipe-down

  • For bioactive setups: maintain clean-up crew (isopods/springtails) and monitor moisture balance

⚠️ Morph-Specific Considerations

Trait Note
Light sensitivity Mandarin Black Night geckos may have Eclipse lineage; keep lighting soft and indirect
Color retention Bright colors fade in stress or overexposure to light — keep handling gentle and environment low-stress
Heat absorption Even “Light” Black Night morphs may retain heat more easily — monitor warm zone temps precisely
Genetic health Avoid inbreeding; outcrossing helps maintain vitality and proper coloration in line-bred morphs

Handling Tips

  • Begin handling after 1–2 weeks of acclimation

  • Limit sessions to 5–10 minutes initially

  • Always handle close to the ground and support all limbs

  • Avoid handling during shed cycles

✅ Summary Checklist

Item Recommendation
Enclosure 20–40 gal breeder tank
Heating UTH + thermostat (88–92°F)
Lighting Low-output UVB (optional), soft ambient light
Hides Warm, cool, and humid
Diet Insectivorous, gut-loaded
Supplements Calcium + D3 and multivitamin
Substrate Tile, paper towels, or safe bioactive
Stress reduction Avoid bright lighting, overhandling, or overcrowding
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