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Learn the importance of UVB light for your reptiles and the right reptile lights for your pet’s habitat.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to setup your reptiles terrarium to ensure your reptile lives a wholesome & happy life. Shop at your local Petco for all reptile terrarium needs.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for arid lizards, recommended diet & habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for cool climate Chameleons, recommended diet & habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for a Giant Day Gecko, recommended diet & habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
A RES requires full spectrum lighting (UVA and UVB) and lighting that provides heat. The dry dock, or basking area, should be completely out of the water. Basking temps should range between 90F and 95F (32-35C). You should place the UVA/UVB bulb as close to the heat lamp as possible. It should be no more than 12" away from your RES and should not have a barrier between it and your turtle. Glass, acrylic and plastic block UVB while screens with grids under 1/2" can obstruct a good portion of UVB rays negating the health benefits. Lighting should be on for around 12 hours a day, depending on the time of year. Full UVA/UVB bulbs need replacing every 6 months. The simplest combination for adequate lighting is a UVA/UVB fluorescent bulb and an incandescent light bulb (for heat). Incandescent light bulbs are standard household lights easily purchased at stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. Make sure your RES cannot splash water on it or come into contact with it. You can also consider halog
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Thanks for reaching out about your turtles and including photos. Not sure if a lesion is recognized on the photos. Is the shell soft and bulging slightly? If so a calcium or vitamin D deficiency should be considered. Basking lights need to contain UVB radiation, and often that wavelength burns out in 6-8 months, even though the bulb continues to produce white light. If you have further concerns, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Ideally, a 10 gallon tank is the smallest enclosure that should be used for one anole. You will need a UVB light source as well as a heat lamp. The brown color is likely due to stress. The link below will provide a list of items required as well as information on basic care. http://www.anapsid.org/anole.html
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Pace the heat lamp over the basking area. If the UVB light runs the length of the tank, she will be fine. Don't worry about getting the Betadine under scutes. If the scutes are loose, the liquid will find way underneath them. Don't peel the scutes up either. They will come off on their own.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Hi there! Let me see if I can help you with Michelangelo. I read through this article from Reptile Magazine, and it seems to have some good advice on husbandry and diet of the species: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Turtles-Tortoises/Turtle-Care/Golden-Thread-Turtle-Care-Tips/ I also really like Austin's Turlte Page for information about turtle husbandry: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-chinesegoldenthread.htm In addition, I would recommend you do try to encourage Michelangelo to bask, whether it be outside in the sun, or under a UVB bulb lamp (monitored of course). It is important for his metabolism to have the UVB lighting. I hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck!
Updated on August 12th, 2025