A reptile heat pad is the perfect supplemental heat source to recreate surfaces heated by the sun, allowing your pet reptile to soak up this vital conductive warmth needed for thermoregulation. These mats provide an even, regulated temperature and are perfect as a 24-hour primary or secondary heat source for tropical, desert and terrestrial species.
The best reptile heat pads are energy efficient, using less power and electricity to produce a higher quality of heat than other alternatives. They’ll also be designed to operate with a thermostat, which will allow you to easily track and adjust the temperature of your pet’s habitat. This will help ensure that your reptile doesn’t spend too much time on the mat, which is a common cause of enclosure burns in ectothermic reptiles.
Maintaining Optimal Temperature: The Benefits of Reptile Heat Pads
Some heat mats are also far more durable than others, and will be able to withstand the frequent handling of a busy reptile carer. Additionally, they’ll have an easy-to-clean surface and a powerful adhesive. These characteristics make them a good choice for use in pet stores, as well as by individual reptile owners.
Lastly, the best reptile heat pads will also be very easy to install in your pet’s cage. This is important, especially if you’re setting up a bioactive or naturalistic setup. These pads can be pressed down firmly onto the glass of your terrarium, with close attention to the corners and the space around the power cord. Ideally, these pads will be raised up off the bottom of the tank by a 1/4″ or so. This will create a gap that allows excess heat to escape, protecting the pad and preventing overheating.