Reptiles- Not as cold and slimy as you think!
Reptiles, which include animals such as snakes, turtles, and lizards, are unique in that they are considered ectothermic (cold-blooded), which means their body temperature is the same as their environment. Humans and other mammals are endotherms (warm-blooded); where we maintain our core body temperature despite how warm or cold it is in the room. The ambient environmental temperature is a huge factor in reptile metabolism, food gathering, and digestion. Heating should be provided to maintain the Preferred Optimum Temperature Zone (POTZ). This is the temperature range of the reptile’s natural habitat at which it functions best and has maximum immune response. In the wild, reptiles regulate their body temperature by behaviors such as basking (increasing body temperature) or hiding under cover in order to maintain their body temperature within their POTZ.
The POTZ will depend on whether the animal naturally comes from a temperate, subtropical, or tropical climate. Exact temperature requirements for each reptile species are available online and in reference books. It is then the owner’s responsibility to measure and provide enough heat within the enclosure for the reptile to stay warm. An over-the-tank heat lamp is recommended, with the wattage of the bulb depending on the size of your tank. Most heat bulbs should have tank size recommendations on the box. It is recommended to have the lamp on one side of the tank to create a natural temperature gradient, with the opposite side of the tank being slightly cooler due to the distance from the heat source. Owners should provide a climbing surface that the reptile could use to get closer to the heat source, also called a basking area. A hiding area should be kept on the opposite side of the tank for the animal to use to cool down. A thermometer should be placed at each end of the tank to give accurate temperature readings. Chronic exposure to high environmental temperatures without the availability of a temperature gradient will lead to various health problems, such as chronic dehydration, kidney disease, bladder stones, and shedding problems. The heat lamp should be protected by wire mesh so that the animal cannot come into direct contact with the bulb and cause a thermal burn.
If your pet reptile is ever showing signs of illness, the first thing you will want to check is the temperature gradient within the tank. If the temperature has gone either above or below the preferred optimum temperature zone, the patient’s immune system will be compromised and the pet will not be able to heal until the tank temperature is corrected. To prevent this from happening, thermometer readings should be checked daily and heat bulbs should be replaced annually.