Northampton Reptile Centre

Are your reptiles warm enough this winter?

Posted on 22. Dec, 2009 by Gary in Care, Products

We’re all noticing the drop in temperature as the days become shorter and we’re bombarded with snow and ice.
I’ve received a lot of emails from reptile keepers, concerned that their pets are no longer warm enough in their enclosures. The guys in the shop are getting exactly the same questions from customers, so it would seem it is a fairly common problem. In fact, our wholesaler estimates that the sale of heating devices increases by around 50% at this time of year!
Lack of activity, lack of appetite, snakes regurging, dark chameleons are all good indicators that your reptile is too cold. Obviously these can lead to long term problems with your pet.

Check your temperatures today!

Everything may have been fine a month ago before the weather turned, but it’s cooler now so double check your temperatures today. Make a note of the temperature at the hot end of the vivarium and the cool end. Also check the temperature through the night. If you are unsure if the temperatures you record are suitable for your pet, please call us (01604 753823) or email (sales@reptilecentre.com) and we will be happy to advise you.

Day temperature

During the day, the majority of vivariums are heated using light bulbs. The wattage of these bulbs will determine the amount of heat given off by them. During the summer a 40w bulb may have given you the perfect temperature for your Leopard Gecko, now it’s cooler you may need to upgrade it to a 50W or even a 60W. Again, we can always advise you on this.

Night Temperature

More people struggle with the night temperature (when it’s dark and the bulbs are off) than the day temperature. We generally have 2 methods of heating reptiles in the dark so it’s crucial you have the right heating device for your pet.
Heat Mats – Heat mats and strips will provide a low localised temperature with whatever they are in contact with. They are great for animals that are accustomed to a low air temperature at night but would burrow towards heat retained in the ground. Heat mats are therefore perfect for reptiles such as Corn Snakes and Leopard Geckos. They should always be controlled by a thermostat so you are in complete control of your pet’s environment.

Ceramic Bulbs – These bulbs provide heat without emitting any light. They will provide an elevated air temperature for animals that require warmer air through the night. We use them with Bearded Dragons, Water Dragons, pythons and many others. A heat mat will not do the job of a ceramic heat bulb. Again, the ceramic should be regulated by a thermostat and set to your pet’s perfect night time temperature. Ceramic bulbs should also be guarded to prevent injury to the reptile and the keeper.

Housing

It’s fair to say that the majority of people struggling to maintain their temperatures are keeping their reptiles in glass tanks (aquariums). Glass conducts heat so well that these tanks just do not hold the heat inside. Unfortunately, there are many kits being sold on the market as ‘complete reptile setups’ that are just not suitable for the animal they are intended for. They are fine for the American climate for which they were originally designed but most reptiles in the UK are far happier in a wooden vivarium that retains heat keeping them nice and warm. If you have a glass enclosure and you cannot keep the right temperatures then you really need to think about changing to a wooden vivarium.

Voucher

Although heating devices and thermostats aren’t generally that expensive, it is the time of year when everybody has less spare money available. To help, we will give you £10 off any heating device over £20. Visit the heating section on our website, add what you need to the shopping basket and enter the code HEAT10 at the checkout. This discount will be available on all heating devices worth over £20 until the end of January.

Tags: bearded dragon, corn snake, heating, leopard gecko, thermostat, voucher