Correctly Using Your Reptile Heat Pad

When setting up your new reptile pet there are many things that have to be done in the proper order. One of the most important parts of your reptile set up is correctly using your reptile heat pad. This can be very simply achieved by having the proper sized heating pad and placing it correctly on the enclosure. Most snake heating pads are set to reach a pre-determined temperature. The trick is to get that pad based on the size of your pet and not the size of the terrarium. Once you get the correctly sized pad you need to affix it to the outside bottom of your enclosure. Make sure that the corners of the terrarium are raised off of the floor so that you are not trapping heat under the glass and not crimping the heat pad cord with the weight of the tank on top of it.

Using Substrate With Your Reptile Heat Pad

A common mistake that first time reptile pet owners make is having the incorrect bedding or no bedding at all when setting up their terrarium with a heating pad. Most heating pads are meant to be used with a half inch to one inch of bedding as an insulating material on the bottom of the tank. This keeps your pet at a safe distance from coming in direct contact with a very hot glass surface. I have personally seen some terrible scars on snakes’ bellies from close contact with a hot surface. One of our most trusted and highly recommended heat sources is our xyzReptiles reptile heating pad. Adding aspen, coconut fiber or mulch bedding to your tank will ensure the proper set up for your pet snake.

When Are Heat Bulbs Better Than Heating Pads

There are a few reptiles that will benefit more from a heat light than a heating pad. These reptiles include almost all lizards and specifically bearded dragons, monitor lizards, iguanas, chameleons and any of the arboreal species. As far as the snakes are concerned, it is beneficial to use an incandescent or ceramic heat bulb instead of a heat pad when dealing with tree boas, tree pythons and any aquatic snakes. At xyzReptiles we have a dedicated heating and lighting section that provides many of these lights, pads and fixtures for sale. If you have any questions about the correct heating method for your reptile pets do not hesitate to reach out to us.