Reptile Equipment
Before purchasing a reptile it is important to first purchase the appropriate equipment. Below is a list of reptile equipment to help you build your setup. What equipment you need will depend on the species you are buying so it is important to do your research on necessary equipment first.
Equipment
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Image
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Description
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Precaution
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Under-tank Heater (UTH)/ Heat Mat
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UTH's come in a variety of sizes and power outputs, the size must be proportionate to the size of the enclosure (ideally 1/3 the length of the enclosure).
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Can over-heat if it malfunctions or is overburdened with substrate. Can potentially cause heat stroke and severe burns if not controlled by a thermostat.
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Thermostat
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Thermostats are devices which regulate heating devices to pre-set temperatures. This is extremely useful for preventing the overheating of your reptiles enclosure.
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It's possible for these devices to malfunction, so monitoring temperatures with a thermometer is still necessary, along with making seasonal temperature adjustments.
You may need different style thermostats for heat mats and lights. |
Heat Lamp, Guard and Bulb
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Heat lamps provide overhead heat and a day/night light cycle. Different bulbs will provide different heat outputs depending on their wattage. Some are bayonet and some screw fit (more common). Some bulbs are designed to emit UV rays and others are not.
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Lights set inside a reptiles enclosure can be hazardous and risk causing burns, especially to snakes. A guard will be required in such circumstances.
Some basking bulbs may emit UVA, which stimulate agnostic behaviours but do not produce the essential UVB necessary for vitamin D3 synthesis. |
Infrared Laser Thermometer
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A temperature gun can allow you to check the surface temperature inside the enclosure quickly and easily, allowing you to measure the habitats full thermal gradient.
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Accuracy can be marginal. This device is only for measuring surface temperature, it cannot measure air temperature.
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Ultra-violet Light
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Full-spectrum Lighting can come in the form of fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent tubes and mercury vapour lamps. UV requirements depends on species.
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Different bulb types have different dispersal patterns and intensities. These lights need replacing every six months as UV output degrades over time. More information can be found here.
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Decor
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Faux leaves not only make the enclosure more aesthetically pleasing but also provides extra cover for the animal.
Rocks can aid the animal in the shedding process. Vines and branches encourage climbing behaviours which is essential for arboreal species. |
Make sure any decor provided is safe and thoroughly sterilised if sourced from outside.
Make sure rocks or branches are positioned securely within the enclosure to prevent accidental injury. |
* This list is to be used as a quick guide, you will be required to research the specific equipment necessary for your species.
References
Red ear slider. Regulating Water Temperatures (online) www.redearslider.com
UV Guide, 2010. The main types of lamp used to supply UVB in the vivarium. (Online) www.uvguide.co.uk
Images from Google.
© 2014 Cat Read
References
Red ear slider. Regulating Water Temperatures (online) www.redearslider.com
UV Guide, 2010. The main types of lamp used to supply UVB in the vivarium. (Online) www.uvguide.co.uk
Images from Google.
© 2014 Cat Read