Order Infrared Light & Heat for Reptiles in Lakewood

Reptiles make fantastic pets, but  they aren't always easy to look after. You will not need to take your reptile for a walk daily, 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 equipment from a store you can trust.

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

Reptile heating isn't quite as straightforward as placing a heating system 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 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, as opposed to from a heat lamp. On the other hand, reptiles you keep indoors also need additional lighting. They need the same wavelengths of light given by sunshine so their bodies can make vitamin D. They need a daytime source of light along with a supplemental heat source at all times. And different reptiles require 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 on a daily basis, with a number of breaks of 1 to 2 hours during the day. They favor 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 need 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 give 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 prefer lower 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. 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's General Store in Lakewood, OH. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, cozy, and healthy for many years to come.