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Reptile Heat Cords
Reptile heat cords are essential in maintaining a healthy and warm enclosure for your scaly friend. Reptile heating cables come in a variety of sizes to suit your enclosure. Heat cords are suited for lizards, snakes, scorpions, frogs & other amphibians.
Reptile Heat Cord Buyer's Guide
A heat cord, which is also known as a heat cable, is a flexible cord which comes in different lengths. It heats up and is designed to provide an even and consistent source of heat for reptile enclosures. It is made from a durable, heat safe material that has a heating element embedded inside it. A heat cord works by using electrical resistance to generate heat. When plugged into a power source, the heating element inside the cord heats up, and the heat is evenly distributed along the length of the cord. It can be placed beneath or within the reptile's enclosure to create a safely heated area.
Heat cords are very versatile, they can be used on many different enclosure types. They are however slightly more difficult to install, depending on the installation method. Installing a heat cord will depend on the specific needs of your reptile and the type of enclosure you have. Commonly, heat cords are installed underneath the enclosures to provide heat for ground dwelling reptiles. The heat cord will need to be installed with heat-resistant tape, or routed into the walls or floor of the enclosure. You must always ensure the heat cord is installed outside the enclosure to make sure it never comes into direct contact with your reptile and cause burns. If you decide on routing the heat cord into the enclosure, you will need someone handy with the right tools to be able to safely rout the correct depth for the cord. This installation method is by far the tidiest and most professional looking, however taping the heat cord with heat-resistant tape also does the job.
Heat cords are a really safe way to heat your reptile's enclosure, there is no direct contact between the cord and your reptile, meaning you’re completely eliminating the risk of burns.
Being that heat cords come in different lengths there is a lot of versatility when using them, this also provides more surface area that can be heated making them cost-effective. The size of your enclosure, and what area you want heated, will come into play when deciding the right length of cord. Reptile breeders commonly use heat cords when they have a large amount of hatchling reptiles, this is because they route them into what is called a hatchling rack. This provides the rack with an even and consistent heat source, which is very important for any juvenile reptile. Heat cords do not emit any light, they are solely used as a source of heat. This may not make them suitable for your reptile, as they may require lighting as their heat source to mimic the sun. Reptiles such as lizards tend to benefit more from a lighting heat source, as they also require UVB. They are also a basking reptile, meaning they like to lay in sun-exposed areas to heat their bodies, rather than underground. Reptiles such as ground dwelling snakes and burrowing lizards are the perfect candidates for heat cords!
Reptile Heat Cord Pro's
- Provides heat
- Covers a large surface area
- Evenly distributes heat
- Extremely safe
- Cost-effective
- Energy efficient
Reptile Heat Cord Con's
- As they go under the terrarium, the installation can be difficult as you need to lift the enclosure
- Does not emit light
- Only for ground dwelling reptiles or reptile racks
Reptile Heat Cord FAQ's
What is a reptile heat cord?
A reptile heat cord, which is also known as a heat cable, is a flexible cord which comes in different lengths, that heats up and is designed to provide a consistent heat source for reptile enclosures. It is made from a durable, heat safe material that has a heating element embedded inside it.
How does a reptile heat cord work?
A reptile heat cord works by using electrical resistance to generate heat. When plugged into a power source, the heating element inside the cord heats up, and the heat is distributed along the length of the cord. It can be placed beneath or within the reptile's enclosure to create a heated area.
Which reptiles can benefit from a heat cord?
Many different species of reptiles will benefit from a heat cord. It tends to be used more for ground dwelling reptiles that require heat from the ground, such as ground dwelling snakes or burrowing lizards. It is also commonly used by reptile breeders for hatchling racks, which is a rack designed to fit multiple small reptile enclosures. The heat cord is routed into each shelf of the rack, creating heat from the ground of each shelf into the reptile enclosures.
Can heat cords be used with different types of terrarium?
Heat cords are very versatile and can be used in most enclosures. Enclosures types such as glass, wooden, plastic tubs and PVC are all safe to use in conjunction with a heat cord. Always ensure your enclosure is made from safe, quality materials to reduce the risk of burning the enclosure. Connecting the heat cord to a thermostat not only keeps the temperature steady for your reptiles, but it also is a safety measure and stops the cord from overheating.
Are heat cords safe for reptiles?
When used safely and in conjunction with a thermostat, heat cords are very safe and a great way to provide heat for your reptiles. Always make sure that the heat cord you intend to purchase is made by a reputable brand and designed specifically for reptiles. This ensures the safety standards are met.
How should a heat cord be installed in the reptile terrarium?
Installing a heat cord will depend on the specific needs of your reptile and the type of enclosure you have. Commonly, the heat cords are installed underneath the enclosures to provide heat for ground dwelling reptiles. The heat cord will need to be installed with heat-resistant tape, or routed into the walls or floor of the enclosure. You must always ensure the heat cord is installed outside the enclosure to make sure it never comes into direct contact with your reptile and cause burns.
Do reptile heat cords require a thermostat?
Yes, we recommend using a thermostat for your heat cord. You will program the thermostat at a certain temperature and then plug the heat cord into it. The thermostat then automatically keeps the heat cord at the specific temperature you have set, stopping it from overheating or letting the enclosures get too cold. This then not only provides the optimal living temperature for your reptiles, but also keeps your reptiles and your home safe!
Related categories: Reptile Light Bulbs, Reptile Heat Rocks, Reptile Heat Bulbs, Reptile Basking Bulbs, Reptile Heat Mats, Reptile Temperature Reading, Reptile Thermostats
Popular reptile heat cord brands: ReptiFX, Reptile One, URS
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