You want to take good care of the reptile you’re bringing home. A big part of this is making sure its tank or terrarium in your home is correct. This extends beyond the size or even what is inside to include the temperature.
There are multiple reptile species that need to stay warm to ensure a stay healthy. Unlike you and me, your new pet reptile can’t just warm itself up. It needs your help. The most important thing to remember is that reptiles are ‘cold-blooded’ a.k.a. ectothermic animals. This is why humid and warm conditions are essential for these fascinating species.
How to Control Temperature Levels for Your Pet Reptile
First off, keeping a pet reptile requires you to count on the right equipment. Some of this supplies includes heat lamps, heat mats, and of course, thermostats and thermometers. .
In regards to heat lamps, you must make sure that they are the right wattage for the height of your enclosure, to not over or under heat your pet. The same thing applies to heat mats, as they go under your reptile pet’s cage.
Likewise, you must have thermometers in any enclosure to determine the cage’s temperature, and thermostats on any heatmats to regulate temperatures from getting too hot.
Luckily, you can find all of these supplies (heatmats, lamps, fixtures, bulbs) and much more in our store! We carry products from ReptiZoo, ExoTerra, and ZooMed.
We also have heat lamps that’ll help you heat the enclosure without producing light, such as Cermaic Heat Emitters (CHE) or Deep Heat Projectors (DHP). You can also ask us which would be the best product for your reptile.
What Is the Right Temperature Range?
Reptile temperatures vary greatly by species, as they are found all over the world! Bearded dragons require a cool area of 75-80 degrees, and a basking spot of 95-100, while Crested Geckos should never exceed temps above 82 degrees, or below 65. It is so
Moreover, proper humidity is just as important as temperature, so don’t forget about that part too. This need also varies depending on the exact animal. Some lizard species require 70 to 80 percent humidity while other species such as desert snakes prefer only 10 to 30 percent. Knowing the exact needs of the species you are bringing home is essential for their longevity.
Let’s go over the basic temperature guidelines for some of our most popular pet reptile species:
Lizards such as Bearded Dragons, Uromastyx, and Leopard Geckos
Use these temperatures as a general guide when taking care of your pet lizards:
| Lizard Species | Min. Temperature for Basking Spot | Max. Temperature for Basking Spot | Min. Temperature for Cooler Side | Max. Temperature for Cooler Side |
| Bearded Dragons | 85°F | 105°F | 70°F | 80°F |
| Uromastyx | 95°F | 130°F | 80°F | 90°F |
| Leopard Geckos | ~95°F | ~70°F | ||
Snakes such as Boa Constrictors and Corn Snakes
Use these temperatures when taking care of your pet snakes:
| Snake Species | Min. Temperature for Basking Spot | Max. Temperature for Basking Spot | Min. Temperature for Cooler Side | Max. Temperature for Cooler Side |
| Boa Constrictor | ~85°F | ~95°F | ~78°F | |
| Corn Snake | ~85°F | 62°F | 75°F | |
| Ball Python | 90°F | 95°F | 80°F | 85°F |
Tortoises such as Redfoot and Russian
Use these temperatures when taking care of your pet torts:
| Tortoise Species | Min. Temperature for Basking Spot | Max. Temperature for Basking Spot | Min. Temperature for Cooler Side | Max. Temperature for Cooler Side |
| Redfoot Tortoise | ~90°F | 68°F | 80°F | |
| Russian Tortoise | 90°F | 95°F | ~70°F | |
| Sulcata Tortoise | ~100°F | 70°F | 80°F | |
Learn All About Your Pet Reptile’s Needs at Jabberwock Reptiles
In the wild, reptiles have just the right food, rocks, trees, heat, and humidity for their particular species. In captivity, the animals rely on us for these essentials. The reason we are considered the best reptile store in Massachusetts is because we don’t just sell quality pet reptiles, we also focus on quality service, care, and education. We want your new reptile to be happy and healthy for a long time to come. With any questions on how you can make that possible, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us!
