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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
Regular cleaning and disinfecting of your pet's cage and accessories is one of the keys to keeping your reptile healthy. Learn how often you should clean your cage.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Read these guidelines about handling reptiles to provide a safe and fun environment for your pet, friends and family.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for a Sand Boa, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to take care of Milk Snakes, recommended diet and habitat. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Thanks for your question about Smaug, and thanks for the photo as well! I think that you have a good start to your set up, and that we can tweak a few items. First, your lighting situation appears adequate - I see a UVB light (please change this bulb every 4-6 months), a basking light, and a ceramic heat bulb. I would ensure that your temperatures are appropriate for this species, and that you are monitoring them using digital thermometers (I think that you see both a digital and analog thermometers currently) at the level of Smaug. Analog thermometers are inaccurate, so I don't recommend using them (also, they are high up on the sides of the enclosure, so they wouldn't be giving an accurate temperature read for Smaug). For the cage furniture that you have, I like that you have places for Smaug to climb and hide. However, I would recommend having a hide on both the warm side of the enclosure and the cool side so that Smaug has choices. Same for the climbing structures. I may have misse
Updated on August 12th, 2025
It is too small to be used for much beyond transport, quarantine or temporary housing (i.e. during cleaning of main enclosure). The plastic construction does not allow for light or heat sources which most reptiles or exotic pets require.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
This would depend on tank size. Unless you have a large tank (50 gallons +), a UTH in the 8-12 watt range should be sufficient. Be sure to use a rheostat/thermostat to control temperature. You'll need a lamp for a basking spot on one side of the enclosure. Use whatever wattage will achieve a temp in the basking spot of about 95F. Start with a 40 watt and go from there. This should create a gradient down to the 80s F on the cool side. Turn the lamp off at night, use a timer, butt leave the UTH on. Nighttime temperature can drop to about 75F.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Stress or illness are likely responsible. Placing dark colored paper around the lower 10-12 inches of the glass might decrease stress. If this doesn't seem to help, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Feed as many pellets as would fit in her head if it was empty. Do this once daily. Offer greens daily, in the morning about 2 hours after the heat/light comes on. Supplement with a multivitamin and calcium supplement several times a week. I like Rep-Cal HerptiVite and Rep-Cal Calcium (w/o D3 as long as she has UVB lighting). An incandescent bulb or spot light will be sufficient for use as a heat lamp. Use thermometers or an infrared temperature gun to monitor ambient temp and basking spot temp.
Updated on August 12th, 2025