Reptiles make great pets, but they aren't necessarily easy to look after. 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 best reptile heating and lighting. And to do that, you will need the reptile heating and lighting tools from a store you can rely on.
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 need you to provide heat for them. Some reptiles, like geckos and ball pythons, require extra heat 24/7.
Reptile heating isn't quite as simple as putting a heating unit in a cage. Many heaters 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 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 require additional lighting. They need the same wavelengths of light given by sunlight so their bodies can make vitamin D. They need a daytime light in addition to a additional heat source regularly. And different reptiles require 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 every day, with a number of 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, ideally from a ceramic heat source 24 hours a day. They also like to be able to bask in the "sun light" you offer with an incandescent bulb, but ensure it's only switched on during the day.
Chameleon heating and lighting: Chameleons absolutely must 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 need 8 to 12 hours of light each day with a "night light" or infrared light at night. Don't 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 and healthy at Pets Pets Pets in Califon, NJ. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, cozy, and healthy for many years to come.