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Los Altos, California 94022

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Reptile and Amphibian Care

Heat

All reptiles require external source of heat. Providing a heat source can be done in several ways. In nature the sun is the main source of this heat, though it is not the only source. In captivity, the "sun heat" can be mimicked by using a hooded lamp focused into the enclosure. The lamp should be placed so that it provides enough heat without burning the herptile. If a lamp or a light bulb is placed so that the herptile can come into contact with it the herptile may lay upon or next to the light and severe burns may occur. Never let your herptile come into contact with a light bulb or lamp.

In addition to focused light heat sources (sun-heat mimickers) it is also advisable to use some sort of ground heat source. In the wild, the sun heats the ground or surrounding rock and herptiles lay on the surface of these areas to absorb their heat. In captivity this source of heat can be mimicked by using on of several types of heating units. Heating pads "hot rocks," and "under the tank" heat strips are a few of these sources. It is important to be able to adjust the temperature output of these types of heat sources an overheating can occur and burns can result. In particular, hot rocks are notorious or overheating and causing burns. Also human heating pads are not designed for heating herptile habitats. Caution should be taken to make sure moisture and excessive weight is kept away from these types of products.

Another source of heat usable in captive herptiles is ambient air heat. While focused light source heat and ground heat is important, ambient air heat is also important. Ambient ai heat can be provided by using a room heater in an enclosed area, especially important if your herptile's enclosure is made of screening. Either turning the house thermostat up or using a space heater in an enclosed room will help keep the surrounding air warm for your herptile.

Finally, make sure there is a gradient of heat in your herptile's enclosure. That is, the enclosure should have an area that is heated as well as areas that are not directly heated so the animal can move in and out of the heat. Establish a gradient of heat in the enclosure that will allow the herptile to regulate its body temperature. Again, research your herptile's natural environment so you can more closely mimic it in captivity.

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