Shop Visible Light 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 provide it with a healthy environment with the appropriate reptile heating and lighting. And to do that, you will need the reptile heating and lighting equipment from a store you can trust.

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

Reptile heating isn't quite as simple as placing a heating system in a cage. Many heating systems emit light. Using them to keep a pet reptile warm can be like creating 24-hour daylight, so your pet would certainly not have a regular cycle of activity and rest. Heating for reptiles at night needs to come from an infrared source, like a heated ceramic, rather than from a heat lamp. On the other hand, reptiles you keep indoors also need extra lighting. They need the same wavelengths of light given by sunshine so their bodies can make vitamin D. They require a daytime light in addition to a supplemental 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 every day, with a number of breaks of 1 to 2 hours during the day. They prefer a nocturnal light source 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, ideally from a ceramic heat source 24 hours a day. They also like to be able to bask in the "sun light" you give with an incandescent bulb, but ensure it's only switched on during the day.

Chameleon heating and lighting: Chameleons definitely must have UV-B light during the day so their bodies can make vitamin D. They like lower 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. Don't provide 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, warm, and healthy for many years to come.