Habitat Management for Reptiles

Unlike mammals and birds, reptiles do not maintain a constant internal body temperature. Without feathers or fur for insulation, they cannot stay warm on a freezing day. In addition, without the ability to pant or without sweat glands, they are not able to cool off on a hot day.

Instead of this, they move into the shade and into the sun as needed. They become inactive during cooler parts of the year. Reptiles are cold-blooded due to their heat-seeking behavior and slow metabolism.

Reptiles should be able to avoid extreme temperature and bask since they rely on conditions that allow them to maintain the temperature of their body. Some of the necessities of reptiles are the following:

• Suitable hibernation sites
• Suitable breeding sites for species that lay eggs
• Cover to avoid predators
• Sufficiently large populations of prey species
• Shelter from excessive heat and wind
• Access to direct sunlight

Much of the daily activities of reptiles are governed by the need to control body temperature. Usually, reptiles need to maintain a body temperature between 20 and 30 Celsius. The structure provided by the habitats needs to allow reptiles to warm up and use the energy of the sun, but at the same time to avoid extremely cold or hot temperatures.

In order to stay healthy and thrive, these animals require unique and special conditions.

How To Properly Setup the Habitat?

There are some things you should keep an eye out for when setting up the perfect space for your reptile friend.

• Space – When it comes to the space itself, it is always preferred that there is a large habitat. The reason for this is that a habitat that is large will allow you to set up a thermal gradient that is more effective.
• Temperature – Like we already mentioned, reptiles aren’t able to regulate the temperature of their bodies on their own. A wide range of reptile heating devices, including ceramic heating elements, under-tank heaters, tubular heaters, pads, basking lights, and light bulbs, are available to regulate the temperature of the environment for your reptile. The constant temperature that your reptile needs will be different for every season, time of day, and species. Make sure that even when all the lights are out, the low ambient temperature does go below the low-end of the ideal temperature range of your pet.
• Light – This is a factor that depends on the type of species you have. For instance, lizards, such as Green Iguanas and Collared Lizards, need to be exposed to light every day, while there are reptiles that are nocturnal and require more passive lighting. Species that need basking require special types of lamps, specific light bulbs for the lamps, and correct positioning of the lambs. These species need D3 that helps them absorb calcium, and they get from standing in direct sunlight. This cannot be provided by normal lightbulbs you can find lying around in your household, which is why you need to get a hold of lightbulbs that are ultraviolet. Make sure that there is a barrier in order to avoid the risking of your reptile getting burned.
• Humidity – You might need a different amount of humidity and different methods you’re going to use to introduce humidity into their environment, depending on the reptile that you have. For instance, different kinds of Chameleons need only droplets of water on the sides of their habitats or foliage to drink. On the other hand, in order for Tropical Iguanas to maintain their health, they need high humidity levels. When it comes to moisture, every species has its own preferences. Get acquainted with the moisture needs of your pet and the equipment you will need to satisfy those needs.

How Can UbiBot Help?

One of the most impactful and helpful things you can do for your pet reptile is to buy a device that controls the temperature. As we’ve previously mentioned, when you own a reptile, it is important that you maintain the proper temperature.

You need to make sure that you’re using a proper controller of the temperature; otherwise, many issues might arise. Fluctuating or inaccurate temperatures can cause serious problems for your reptile.

The UbiBot WS1 is a monitoring system that collects data for the environment in real-time and automatically syncs all of the data on the UbiBot Platform. It does this by using Wi-Fi. You can access the collected data on the clear screen of the device or by using a browser or app anywhere in the world. This device offers 24/7 humidity and temperature monitoring, which is perfect for keeping a safe environment for your lizard.