Shop Reptile Heating and Lighting for Reptiles in Mission Viejo

Reptiles make wonderful pets, but  they aren't necessarily easy to care for. You will not need to take your reptile for a walk on a daily basis, 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 trust.

There is a basic reason reptiles need additional heat: Reptiles are cold-blooded. They can not manage their body temperature. In nature, reptiles manage 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 choice. They require 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 heater 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 certainly 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, rather than from a heat lamp. On the other hand, reptiles you keep indoors also need additional lighting. They need the same wavelengths of light offered by sunlight so their bodies can make vitamin D. They require a daytime light in addition to a additional 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 require 8 to 12 hours of light daily, 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 continuous heat, preferably from a ceramic heat source 24 hours a day. They also like to be able to indulge in the "sun light" you provide with an incandescent bulb, but ensure it's only turned 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 reduced temperatures at night from an infrared bulb.

Corn snake heating and lighting: Corn snakes require 8 to 12 hours of light each day 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 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 Pet Supply Warehouse in Mission Viejo, CA. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, cozy, and healthy for many years to come.