Order Infrared Light & Heat for Reptiles in Waconia

Reptiles make fantastic pets, but  they aren't necessarily easy to take care of. You won't need to take your reptile for a walk daily, but you will need to supply it with a healthy environment with the best reptile heating and lighting. And to do that, you will need the reptile heating and lighting tools from a store you can trust.

There is a basic reason reptiles need extra heat: Reptiles are cold-blooded. They can not control their body temperature. In nature, reptiles regulate their body temperature by changing their environment. They get sun on a rock. They burrow into the ground. But reptiles in a cage do not have that option. They require you to provide heat for them. Some reptiles, like geckos and ball pythons, require supplemental heat 24/7.

Reptile heating isn't quite as straightforward as placing a heating system in a cage. Many heating units emit light. Using them to keep a pet reptile warm can be like producing 24-hour daylight, so your pet would not have a typical cycle of activity and rest. Heating for reptiles during the night needs to come from an infrared source, like a heated ceramic, instead of from a heat lamp. On the other hand, reptiles you keep indoors also require additional lighting. They require the same wavelengths of light given by sunshine so their bodies can make vitamin D. They require a daytime light source in addition to a supplementary heat source regularly. And different reptiles need different reptile heating and lighting. Here is a rundown of reptile heating and lighting needs by species.

Ball python heating and lighting: Ball pythons need 8 to 12 hours of light on a daily basis, with a number of breaks of 1 to 2 hours during the day. They like a nocturnal source of light to imitate conditions in the wild; infrared light is great at night (just not a glowing light bulb).

Bearded dragon heating and lighting: Bearded dragons need constant heat, ideally from a ceramic heat source 24 hours a day. They also like to be able to indulge in the "sun light" you offer with an incandescent bulb, but make sure it's only switched on during the day.

Chameleon heating and lighting: Chameleons definitely needs to have UV-B light during the day so their bodies can make vitamin D. They like reduced temperatures at night from an infrared bulb.

Corn snake heating and lighting: Corn snakes require 8 to 12 hours of light daily with a "night light" or infrared light at night. Do not give them too much white light.

Gecko heating and lighting: Geckos are nocturnal, so they don't need lights that provide UV-B. A regular incandescent bulb for daytime lighting works great, but they need ceramic heat or a nocturnal heat bulb at all hours.

You will find everything you need for keeping your reptile happy & healthy at Paws Inn Pet Essentials in Waconia, MN. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, warm, and healthy for many years to come.