A few questions

I was wondering If a heat lamp really is necessary? I hear some people say that you don't really need to and some people say that It's essential. So far I haven't had any problems with Leopold, he eats normally and whatnot. (I have 2 UTH's)

And one more. I see pretty much everyone around here (and at geckoforums) that they have these little rock-type hides:

http://buyasnake.co.uk/wp-content/up...s/Photo107.jpg

I have 2 idenetical green plastic plant cups

http://i38.tinypic.com/20fpx8o.jpg
(Older picture where my ball used to sleep in)

I'm only a little worried because his head is mostly poking out and sometimes his whole body is exposed. Should I buy a bigger hide? The Petsmarts around my area have nothing like those and they don't have much to choose from, sometimes nothing at all.
(P.S. are tiny half logs ok?)

Thanks

Just about anything you can think of to make a hide is ok, as long as it's opaque and fits closely around the gecko's body. Those green things theoretically ought to be fine, presuming the gecko fits inside. If the gecko no longer fits, it might be time to go to something bigger. Half logs are not preferred because they don't provide as much security as something with only one small entrance. Basically, the same rules as for hides for a BP work for leos; low, dark, and close around their body makes them happy.

As far as the light thing goes, you'll just about always start a debate asking that question. My personal experience is that when I've kept leos with a full spectrum bulb providing a day/night cycle, they've been "perkier" and more active. Many people will say that they don't need a light because they're nocturnal, and many people keep them very successfully w/o lights, but I prefer to give mine a light. I just have it set up on a timer such that the UTH is turned off when the light is turned on and vice versa; having both of them on would be too hot.

if your temps are where they are supposed to be, you don't need a heat lamp.

if the hide is too small for the lizard, go to the garden center and buy a larger size plastic pot or something-- you dont need to have fancy hides, they don't care what they look like as long as they are dark and secure.

I use these:
http://www.glad.com/containers/gladware_containers.php
Just make sure the paint is completely dry before you put the hide in there. Spray paint works, but it takes forever for it to dry. It stinks for days. I use a non-toxic craft paint.

My balls love them! Well, as much as a few balls can love.