KEEPING REPTILES THRIVING | The Importance of Heat and Light
Reptile keeping is at its most popular and successful ever world-wide. There are good reasons as lizards, snakes, frogs, and turtles are fascinating and complex animals. Because they are comfortable in many cases in confined spaces and easily adapted to life indoors – they make the perfect companion pet. 

Of course they need to have conditions created that they enjoy in their natural habitats, and the most important of these other than the correct types of food, is heat and light. 

Reptiles are ectothermic (cold blooded) and obtain their body temperature from their environment. Unlike mammals that can generate their own body heat, in nature reptiles need to move to a warmer area if needs be. 

The reason heat becomes so essential to reptiles is that it is required for digestion of food, and good immune function, so when temperatures drop you must be able to keep your reptile warm. This includes heat on the underside in particular for good food digestion. 

Heat from lighting is also important to many species. As with everything, not all types of heat and/or lighting suits all. Apart from their need of a regular day/night cycle, some reptiles require specific kinds of light i.e. U.V.Light for example. U.V. Light is an important source of Vitamin D3, as is also the case in humans where we can obtain it via exposure to sunlight. This is important in reptiles because it is involved in calcium metabolism. Remember the role of food and supplements must be considered. In the case where glass covers are used they will block UV so always ensure there is none between the UV source and the animal. 

U.V.Light is made up of UVA, UVB and UVC. wavelengths. UVC is harmful, and it is UVA and UVB that reptile require. The most important thing here is the amount of UVB produced for any certain species, and in this regard there is a huge range of various size bulbs available. A good reptile dealer will know what to recommend.

ESSENTIALS FOR REPTILE CARE

1. Exo Terra Heat Wave Rocks (RP40-42),
2. Exo Terra Ceramic Heat Emitters (RP43-46),
3. Exo Terra Heat Mats (RP277-280),
4. Exo Terra Infrared Basking Lights (RP36-39),
5. Zoo Med Repti Therm Heat Mats (ZM50-52),
6. Zoo Med Repti Care Ceramic Infrared Heat Emitters (ZM05, ZM40-41),
7. Zoo Med Powersun UV (ZM382, ZM38 & ZM187)
8. Zoo Med Repti Basking Spot Lamps (ZM123, ZM124, ZM132 & ZM133)