Order Reptile Heating and Lighting for Reptiles in Albert Lea

Reptiles make excellent pets, but  they aren't always easy to care for. You won't need to take your reptile for a walk on a daily basis, 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 devices from a store you can rely on.

There is a basic reason reptiles need supplemental heat: Reptiles are cold-blooded. They can not control their body heat. In nature, reptiles regulate 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 option. They require you to supply heat for them. Some reptiles, like geckos and ball pythons, require additional heat 24/7.

Reptile heating isn't quite as simple as putting a heater 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 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 need a daytime source of light in addition to a supplemental heat source all the time. 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 several breaks of 1 to 2 hours during the day. They like 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 constant heat, ideally from a ceramic heat source 24 hours a day. They also like to be able to bask in the "sunlight" you provide with an incandescent bulb, but ensure it's only switched on during the day.

Chameleon heating and lighting: Chameleons definitely should 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 need 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 do not need lights that provide UV-B. A a normal 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 The Pet Authority in Albert Lea, MN. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, cozy, and healthy for many years to come.