Shop Visible Light for Reptiles in Lafayette

Reptiles make excellent pets, but  they aren't always easy to care for. 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 right reptile heating and lighting. And to do that, you will need the reptile heating and lighting equipment from a store you can rely on.

There is a fundamental reason reptiles need additional heat: Reptiles are cold-blooded. They can not regulate 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 require 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 putting a heater 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 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 extra lighting. They require the same wavelengths of light offered by sunlight so their bodies can make vitamin D. They require a daytime light in addition to a additional heat source constantly. And different reptiles need different reptile heating and lighting. Here is a rundown of reptile heating and lighting needs by species.

Ball python heating and lighting: Ball pythons require 8 to 12 hours of light every day, with a number of 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 need continuous heat, ideally from a ceramic heat source 24 hours a day. They also like to be able to bask in the "sun light" you provide with an incandescent bulb, but ensure it's only turned 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 prefer 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 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 Buckles Feed Depot & Pet Supply in Lafayette, IN. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, cozy, and healthy for many years to come.