leopard gecko care

Question
QUESTION: Hi,I have a 5 month old leopard gecko, and I have a few questions pertaining to her care:

1. She has been shedding for the last few days, but can't get the skin off of her legs and tail tip...I've tried misting her, and I've tried gently rubbing the areas with a wet cotton pad (that's what I've heard will help), but that hasn't worked.  I've tried tugging the skin off manually, but she is just so delicate and I don't want to hurt her.  What should I do?

2.  I have a question about the temperature I should keep in her tank...I have been using a light to regulate her temperature...I know leopard geckos are nocturnal, so they don't need a light, but I would just like to know if a light alone will provide sufficient heat...I have my gecko for a few weeks and she seems pretty healthy and alert, and the lady at the petstore helped me pick out the light...just want the best for my gecko.
I did a lot of research on leopard geckos before I got mine, but I always hear slightly different information from different sources...so knowing exactly what to do can be a bit confusing.

Thanks for your time,
~Cheyenne

ANSWER: Hello Cheyenne,

That is rough!  I have had that problem before & yes you do have to be careful because their skin can tear easily.  It sounds like you are being very careful.  
I would try bathing her, to see if that will add a little more moisture to her skin.  Do you have a moist humid hide on her warm side for her?
A basking light is good, but you will also need an undertank heater as well, as they need belly heat to help digest their food.  She needs a basking or hot spot of around 88-90 or so degrees & the cooler end can be around 78-82 or so.  The temps overnight can fall into the 70's with no problem.  
Are you supplementing calcium for her either by dusting the feeders or leaving a little dish of calcium in the tank for her?
What are the temps in the tank & what type of thermometer do you use to measure the temps with?  A stick on type, a digital probe or a temp gun?

Tracie


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for the advice...I will try bathing her and see if that will help.
As for a temperature, I'm ashamed to say that I don't have a thermometer, although I have very strongly been thinking about buying one the next time I go to the petstore...I do try to check her tank daily and it feels pretty warm, though...I'll also get her an undertank heater the next time I am out!

I have one more question:

I haven't seen my gecko drink any of the water that I give her.  I have a little dish in her tank that I try to always keep filled with water...I also supply calcium drops in the water.  I could be wrong; she may be drinking without my seeing her...but I just want to be on the safe side.  I've heard from some sources that leopard geckos get their hydration through misting...but then again, I have also heard that they should only be misted when they're shedding, as they are desert animals and if not kept dry it could cause skin infections.

Answer
Hello Cheyenne,
How is she doing today?
You definitely need to know her temperatures.  Either a digital probe or a temp gun is preferred as the stick ons are no good.  They will only measure the ambient temps & the humidity, not the basking spots.
She should be drinking.  If you have not seen her drink, hopefully you have just missed her drinking.  
Try putting a small dish of powdered calcium in the tank, or dust the feeders for her because she might not get enough through drinking water.  
Yes they are from Pakistan & are desert animals.  However, they do need a moist & humid hide/cave to help with shedding.  The rest of the tank can remain dry but there does need to be a little area in which it is more humid.  Otherwise, they will have terrible shedding problems.

Tracie