Order Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles in West Milford

Reptiles make wonderful pets, but  they aren't always easy to take care of. You won't need to take your reptile for a walk on a daily basis, but you will need to provide 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 fundamental reason reptiles need supplemental heat: Reptiles are cold-blooded. They can not control their body temperature. In nature, reptiles control their body heat by changing 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 provide heat for them. Some reptiles, like geckos and ball pythons, require supplementary heat 24/7.

Reptile heating isn't quite as straightforward as putting a heating system in a cage. Many heaters emit light. Using them to keep a pet reptile warm can be like producing 24-hour daylight, so your pet would certainly not have a regular cycle of activity and rest. Heating for reptiles during the night needs to come from an infrared source, like a heated ceramic, instead of from a heat lamp. On the other hand, reptiles you keep indoors also require extra lighting. They need the same wavelengths of light provided by sunshine so their bodies can make vitamin D. They need a daytime source of light along with a supplementary 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 require 8 to 12 hours of light everyday, with several breaks of 1 to 2 hours during the day. They favor 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 require constant 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 should 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 need 8 to 12 hours of light everyday 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 do not 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 and healthy at Pequannock Feed & Pet Supply in West Milford, NJ. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, warm, and healthy for many years to come.