Get Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles in Scappoose

Reptiles make excellent pets, but  they aren't necessarily easy to care for. 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 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 require supplementary heat: Reptiles are cold-blooded. They can not manage 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 choice. They require 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 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 certainly 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, instead of from a heat lamp. On the other hand, reptiles you keep indoors also require additional lighting. They need the same wavelengths of light provided by sunshine so their bodies can make vitamin D. They need a daytime light source in addition to a additional heat source regularly. And different reptiles require different reptile heating and lighting. Here is a rundown of reptile heating and lighting requirements by species.

Ball python heating and lighting: Ball pythons require 8 to 12 hours of light everyday, with numerous 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 need continuous heat, preferably from a ceramic heat source 24 hours a day. They also like to be able to indulge in the "sunlight" you provide with an incandescent bulb, but make sure it's only turned on during the day.

Chameleon heating and lighting: Chameleons definitely must 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 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 Purrz and Paws Pet Supply in Scappoose, OR. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, cozy, and healthy for many years to come.