3 Ways to Heat a Reptile Vivarium

As reptiles are cold-blooded, they rely on their environment to keep them warm. This means they need an outside heat source to warm themselves, which is why keeping their vivarium heated is vital. The type of heating used will depend largely on the type of reptile as it is important to try and replicate the native environment.

Hot rocks

These rock-shaped heaters are ideal for ground-dwelling lizards in particular, such as bearded dragons, as they allow the reptile to lounge on the rocks and absorb the artificial heat. Just as they would in their natural environment, soaking up the warmth from the sun, heat rocks mimic this to warm the vivarium. To ensure the reptiles don't burn themselves, however, a thermostat should always be used to regulate the temperature of the hot rocks.

Heat mats

Thin mats are a great way of adding extra heat to a reptile vivarium, and should be used on cold winter nights or when additional warmth is needed. The heat mats are placed underneath a section of the vivarium and complement the main source of heat. By placing only in one part of the vivarium, the reptile can move to a cooler area when needed. There are different types of heat mats available, including ones designed to mimic warm sand beds of the desert.

Light bulbs

Lights bulbs come in different shapes and sizes to suit the vivarium and are designed to emit heat but not disturb the reptile's sleeping patterns. Different bulbs are available including blue ones that imitate moonlight and give off just a small amount of heat, and ones designed for desert-dwelling reptiles which have a higher UVB output. Both a thermostat and barrier are needed to keep the heat constant and ensure the reptile can't come into contact with the bulb.

Aquapet supply a full range of glass reptile vivariums with metal mesh removable tops and front sliding glass doors to match all budgets and requirements.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)