We all want our pets to be happy and healthy, and for reptiles, that means providing them with light and heat. Read on to learn the basics of lighting and heating your reptile tanks!
We all love our pets like family, even if our pets are of the scaly, cold-blooded variety. Although you may not be able to train your pet reptiles, amphibians and turtles to roll over on command or walk next to you on a leash, we still love them and want them to be comfortable, healthy and happy in their tanks and aquariums. And for cold-blooded reptiles, that means ensuring they have proper lighting in their enclosures to keep them warm and healthy.
For reptiles, sunlight is quite literally life. Reptiles need light and heat to function, so it’s absolutely imperative to provide your pet with proper lighting to ensure his health and comfort.
Most reptiles require two different kinds of light bulbs in their tank:
- A bulb that provides UVA (visual) light and UVB (vitamin production) light
- A bulb that provides heat for basking
Make sure to research your particular reptile’s specific needs and natural habitat to determine what kind of UV lighting it will need, as species’ preferences and needs differ from habitat to habitat. For instance, reptiles that are active during daylight hours require greater amounts of UVB light in order to absorb nutrients and create vitamin D, and nocturnal reptiles require only a small fraction of the UV light diurnal reptiles need. In terms of habitat needs, tropical reptiles don’t need nearly as much UV light, and desert-dwelling creatures require much more.
When it comes to heating your geckos, turtles, bearded dragons and more, you should purchase an infrared bulb or heat lamp for your animal to bask in and warm itself throughout the day. For animals that are active during the day, you’ll need to install a high-wattage heat bulb in one area of the tank for your pet to bask in during the day. These bulbs are often situated over a rock or piece of cage décor so your reptile can get close to the bulb. If you have a nocturnal animal, you’ll still need a heat source, but a lower-wattage bulb specific for nighttime heating is best. Of course, you’ll need to monitor the temperature of your tank and take into consideration the temperature of the room your animal lives in to ensure an optimal environment for your pet.
And although sunlight is best for wild reptiles, you still need to supplement your pet’s tank with additional lighting, even if their tank gets some natural light throughout the day. Glass tanks filter out up to 90 percent of natural UVB light, and can easily overheat if left in the sun, potentially harming your pets.
