Shop Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles in Canton

Reptiles make excellent pets, but  they aren't always easy to care for. You will not need to take your reptile for a walk every day, but you will need to provide it with a healthy environment with the appropriate reptile heating and lighting. And to do that, you will need the reptile heating and lighting devices from a store you can rely on.

There is a basic reason reptiles need additional heat: Reptiles are cold-blooded. They can not control their body heat. In nature, reptiles regulate 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, need supplemental heat 24/7.

Reptile heating isn't quite as simple as putting a heater in a cage. Many heating units 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, rather than 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 require a daytime source of 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 demands by species.

Ball python heating and lighting: Ball pythons need 8 to 12 hours of light everyday, with numerous breaks of 1 to 2 hours during the day. They prefer 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 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 give with an incandescent bulb, but ensure 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 require 8 to 12 hours of light each 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 Premier Pet Supply in Canton, MI. We can help you keep your pet reptile well-fed, cozy, and healthy for many years to come.