Shop Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles in Lakewood

Reptiles make fantastic pets, but  they aren't always easy to take care of. You won't need to take your reptile for a walk everyday, but you will need to supply it with a healthy environment with the appropriate reptile heating and lighting. And to do that, you will need the reptile heating and lighting tools from a store you can trust.

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

Reptile heating isn't quite as straightforward 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 certainly not have a typical 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 require supplemental lighting. They need the same wavelengths of light provided by sunshine so their bodies can make vitamin D. They need a daytime light source along with a supplemental heat source regularly. And different reptiles need different reptile heating and lighting. Here is a rundown of reptile heating and lighting demands by species.

Ball python heating and lighting: Ball pythons need 8 to 12 hours of light every day, with a number of breaks of 1 to 2 hours during the day. They prefer 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 need constant 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 definitely needs to 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 daily 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 & healthy at Pet's General Store in Lakewood, OH. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, warm, and healthy for many years to come.