Complete Guide to Heating for Reptiles & Amphians 2020: How to Achieve the Optimal Thermal Conditions for your Herp
Arguably the most critical part of how to care for a reptile or amphibian, heating is not something that can be overlooked. Still, many keepers remain ignorant to what "heating"
truly means, the critical assumption being that all heat is equal. In reality, what we refer to as "heat" in common parlance is actually a complex combination of the three subdivisions of the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, being infrared A, infrared B, and infrared C. (Or IR-A, IR-B, and IR-C; 700-1400nm, 1400-3000nm, and 3000-1 000 000nm, respectively.)
In this video, I illustrate how to heat reptile enclosures using these wavelengths so as to find the ultimate combination thereof, being a close replica of the infrared found within sunlight. I take a look at the common heating elements available to reptile keepers - heat mats, ceramic heat emitters, coloured/"infrared" bulbs, Deep Heat Projectors, incandescent lamps, and halogen lamps. By comparing each heating element's output with the heat found in sunlight (an essential step in following nature's example), I discuss the merits and drawbacks of each to find the best heater for reptiles and amphibians. I thereby aim to give you a basis to decide which heating element best matches your and your herp's requirements.
Reptile heating needn't be complicated; you just need to recognise what it is that you are attempting to achieve, and with the careful selection of the appropriate heaters, you'll get it right.
(Also, an enormous thank you to Roman Muryn [https://www.youtube.com/user/zaba1959] for letting me use some of his work in this video. I somehow managed to forget to thank him during recording, so I can only offer my greatest apology for this oversight! If you would like to get more information about this subject, please see the file entitled "Roman Muryn feature PRN Oct2019.pdf"/"Peregrine feature PRN Oct2019.pdf" available on the Facebook groups Advancing Herpetological Husbandry and Reptile Lighting; respectively, you may access these groups via these links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdvancingHerpHusbandry/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReptileLighting/)
The items recommended in this video are available for purchase here:
[US]
Exo Terra Sun-Glo Heat Lamps - https://amzn.to/2SakBTu
Exo Terra Daylight Basking Spot Lamp 50w - https://amzn.to/2Safoef
[UK]
Arcadia Deep Heat Projector 50W - https://amzn.to/31biD9k
Arcadia Deep Heat Projector 80W - https://amzn.to/2UelbSB
Metal-backed Halogens 50W, 75W, & 100W - https://amzn.to/2vxjgOK
Flood Lights 50W, 75W, & 100W - https://amzn.to/2ubiwhU
Flood Light 150W - https://amzn.to/2S5Dw1I
As an Amazon associate, I earn a commission if you purchase through these links. You do not have to pay any extra.
---------- RESOURCES TO FIND OUT MORE ----------
The Elements Series, Part 1. Fire, the Sun & Its Replication in Reptile Keeping: https://amzn.to/2OfEzLq
LICHT IM TERRARIUM (translate page into English if necessary - easy on Google Chrome): http://www.licht-im-terrarium.de/start
Reptile Lighting Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReptileLighting/
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Follow nature’s example - https://www.youtube.com/c/JTBReptiles?sub_confirmation=1
My Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jtb_reptile/?hl=en
The supplies I use - https://kit.co/JTB_Reptiles
Advancing Herpetological Husbandry - https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdvancingHerpHusbandry
The Reptile Networks - https://reptilenetworks.co.uk