Buy Light Fixtures for Reptiles in Waconia

Reptiles make terrific pets, but  they aren't always easy to care for. You will not need to take your reptile for a walk every day, but you will need to supply it with a healthy environment with the ideal reptile heating and lighting. And to do that, you will need the reptile heating and lighting equipment from a store you can rely on.

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

Reptile heating isn't quite as straightforward as placing a heating unit in a cage. Many heating units emit light. Using them to keep a pet reptile warm can be like creating 24-hour daylight, so your pet would not have a normal 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 need supplementary lighting. They require the same wavelengths of light provided by sunshine so their bodies can make vitamin D. They require a daytime light in addition to a extra heat source constantly. And different reptiles need different reptile heating and lighting. Here is a rundown of reptile heating and lighting requirements by species.

Ball python heating and lighting: Ball pythons need 8 to 12 hours of light daily, with numerous breaks of 1 to 2 hours during the day. They favor a nocturnal 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 require continuous heat, preferably from a ceramic heat source 24 hours a day. They also like to be able to indulge in the "sunlight" you provide with an incandescent bulb, but make sure it's only switched on during the day.

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

Corn snake heating and lighting: Corn snakes require 8 to 12 hours of light everyday 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 do not 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 and healthy at Paws Inn Pet Essentials in Waconia, MN. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, cozy, and healthy for many years to come.