Reptile Accessories

One of the most fun parts of preparing for a new reptile is decorating their cage. Many people find creative ways to help their reptile’s cage mirror their habitat in the wild, which can have beneficial effects on your reptile as well. Here are some of the most common accessories for reptile cages.

LIGHTING

Lighting is one of the most important accessories for a reptile cage. Most reptiles will need a constant source of heat, which can be provided by proper lighting. Be sure to do some research about your reptile’s specific heating needs, since some reptiles require certain temperatures in order to be comfortable. In addition to this, if you have a nocturnal reptile, you may want to invest in a low-light heat bulb, which allows your reptile to feel more comfortable leaving the comfort of their cave. It’s important that a reptile’s light provide both UVB and UVA wavelengths. Special UVA/UVB bulbs are usually available in the reptile accessories and reptile lighting section of many pet supply stores.

HEAT IMPLEMENTS

Aside from using lighting as a heat source, you may also want to provide additional heating implements. There are some under-cage heating pads designed for reptile cages, which ensure that the bottom of the cage is heated. In addition to this, there are heated rocks, logs and even caves that can be used as an additional heat source for your reptile. Depending on the species of reptile that you are keeping, you can choose to use a combination of these heating implements to meet your reptile’s specific needs.

FOOD DISH

If you have a reptile that does not need to be fed live food, you will need to place a dish of food inside of the cage. This food dish should be stain and odor resistant, which will also help it to be resistant of bacteria. Be sure to keep the dish filled at all times, and clean it with a non-toxic soap at least once per week.

WATER DISH

A reptile’s water dish is one of the most common areas of the cage to become a breeding ground for bacteria. While many pet owners choose aesthetically appealing decorative water dishes, they may require a thorough cleaning as much as three times per week. In order to prevent water from going stagnant, you may choose to use a running water supply, which is usually operated by a small electric pump.