Shop Light Fixtures for Reptiles in Albert Lea

Reptiles make fantastic pets, but  they aren't always easy to take care of. You will not need to take your reptile for a walk everyday, but you will need to provide it with a healthy environment with the right 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 extra heat: Reptiles are cold-blooded. They can not manage their body heat. In nature, reptiles manage their body heat by changing their environment. They get sun on a rock. They burrow into the ground. But reptiles in a cage do not have that choice. They need you to provide heat for them. Some reptiles, like geckos and ball pythons, need supplementary heat 24/7.

Reptile heating isn't quite as simple as placing a heating unit 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 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, rather than from a heat lamp. On the other hand, reptiles you keep indoors also need extra lighting. They require the same wavelengths of light provided by sunlight so their bodies can make vitamin D. They need a daytime light source 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 requirements by species.

Ball python heating and lighting: Ball pythons need 8 to 12 hours of light everyday, 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 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 should have UV-B light during the day so their bodies can make vitamin D. They prefer 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 don't 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.