Get Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles in Carbondale

Reptiles make fantastic pets, but  they aren't necessarily easy to care for. You will not need to take your reptile for a walk everyday, 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 temperature by changing 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 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 system 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 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, as opposed to from a heat lamp. On the other hand, reptiles you keep indoors also need supplementary lighting. They require the same wavelengths of light given by sunshine so their bodies can make vitamin D. They need a daytime source of light in addition to a extra heat source all the time. 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 require 8 to 12 hours of light each 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, 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 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 reduced temperatures at night from an infrared bulb.

Corn snake heating and lighting: Corn snakes need 8 to 12 hours of light every day with a "night light" or infrared light at night. Do not provide too much white light.

Gecko heating and lighting: Geckos are nocturnal, so they do not 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 RJ Paddywacks Pet Outfitter in Carbondale, CO. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, warm, and healthy for many years to come.