If you have a reptile as a pet, you should make sure you have all the supplies it needs to develop a healthy and happy life. Precisely, among the care you should provide a lamp for the terrarium, as this is one of the ways to ensure that it will have adequate light.
In general, reptiles need sunlight as an essential source for their health and well-being. However, in many cases a reptile’s terrarium does not receive the right amount of sunlight, so you should make sure it has a lamp. This will allow it to remain healthy, but only if the lamp is suitable.
Choosing the lamp for the terrarium
In the market you can find different lamps for the terrarium. However, reptiles need ultraviolet light to synthesize vitamin D and absorb calcium. Therefore, the lamp you choose should emit ultraviolet light and preferably be energy efficient to protect the environment.
Also, the lamps have different wattages and you can consult your veterinarian to find out which one is the right one. It will depend on the type of reptile you have and also on the size of the terrarium.
It is also necessary to take into account that most reptiles need light and dark cycles to stay healthy. For this reason, it is ideal to choose a lamp with a timer that allows you to control the duration of the light periods.
Hypothermia in a reptile
Unlike mammals and birds, reptiles do not have mechanisms to maintain a constant body temperature. That is, they can cool down quickly if the ambient temperature is very low. In nature, reptiles warm up in the sun and cool down in the shade or by bathing, depending on where they live and the type of reptile.
In captivity, terrariums must provide the conditions for their bodies to remain healthy. However, they can sometimes develop hypothermia if the terrarium temperature is too low. You may notice that his body becomes darker and he moves much less. Lethargy, lack of appetite and constipation may occur.
If you find your reptile in this state, you should raise its temperature progressively, as it could suffer damage with an abrupt change. It is advisable to submerge it in a water bath at 21 degrees, and make sure that its head is out of the water. After half an hour, remove it from the water and dry it well. Wrap it in a dry, warm towel and place it in the terrarium with the lowest temperature according to its type.
After an hour, you can try giving it room temperature water with a syringe. In general, reptiles usually recover well in about 24 hours with this treatment, although sometimes it may take a little longer.
It is always recommended that you take your pet to the veterinarian for a complete check-up. This professional will be able to give you recommendations so that hypothermia does not happen again and perform tests if necessary.
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