If they are semi-aquatic with high humidity needs, be sure to include an automatic system and soaking station or pool-like area in the tank. Therefore, it is important to find your reptile’s species-specific humidity percentages and replicate them. Reptiles are found all over the world, and so they vary greatly depending on the environments or niches they evolved in. Arcadia and Zoo Med are both known to be trustworthy UVB brands in the United States. Both must be used in a fixture with a mirror-finish reflector for optimal results. T5 HO bulbs are newer technology and are generally stronger and longer-lasting. T8 bulbs are older technology and are generally weaker. Instead, use a T8 or T5 HO UVB bulb, as appropriate. Unless used for particularly small enclosures, they do not produce enough UVB, essentially leaving your reptile as though it didn’t have UVB at all. Many reptile retailers sell “coil” or “compact” UVB bulbs, but these are likely to be effectively useless for your pet reptile. Heat lamps provide infrared and visible light, while fluorescent UVB lamps supply UVA and UVB. A good reptile keeper can help preserve that relationship indoors is by replicating the visible light, infrared (heat), UVA, and UVB wavelengths produced by the sun with high-quality artificial lighting. For most reptiles, a direct relationship must be maintained. Use Long Tube UVB lights (T8 and T5)Īll life on Earth depends on the sun in one way or another. Different types of reptiles need different basking and cool zone temps. Be sure to place a digital thermometer probe on each side (the one on the warm side should be on the basking surface) to make sure that you have an appropriate temperature gradient. Create shaded areas throughout the tank by adding hideouts, plants, and other décor. Depending on whether your reptile is terrestrial or arboreal, place a flat stone or sturdy branch directly under the heat source. Place a basking lamp above the lid on either the left-most or right-most end of the tank. So, in order to let your reptile control their body heat, set up a temperature gradient within the tank. Unlike warm-blooded mammals, reptiles must thermoconform instead, which means that they need to move closer to a heat source to warm up, and move away from one to cool down. They have no metabolic function to internally regulate their body temperature. The term, “cold-blooded,” comes from the fact that ectotherms would technically be “cold,” (or match their surroundings) without an external heat source. Understand the Value of Temperature GradientsĪll reptiles rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature - this is known as being ectothermic. Always fact-check your reptile researchġ.Understand the value of temperature gradients.Here are seven tips to help you get started on the right foot: But don’t worry - with dedication, patience, and study, you can give your new pet the best possible home. Being a new reptile keeper is very different from getting a dog or fish. Congratulations on getting your very first pet reptile! Whether you’re still in the research phase or you’ve already brought it home, keeping a reptile may seem daunting and even overwhelming at times.
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