Burkhard Mücke, terrarium building 25, CC BY-SA 4.0
Reptiles are on the ambient temperature dependent, since they are cold-blooded animals that cannot generate their own body heat. Most snakes, lizards and frogs originate from tropical regions and therefore require a lot of heat.
Without a heater, most reptiles in Germany are simply too cold. This is not only uncomfortable, but even life-threatening. Reptiles rely on heat, otherwise you will function metabolism not.
At low temperatures, some species even become rigid because they can no longer move. This shows how important the terrarium heating is for the animals.
Necessity of heating mats in the terrarium
How do you create a species-appropriate climate in the terrarium? Many reptile keepers ask themselves this question. A good terrarium is characterized by a suitable heat source.
There are different ways of heating the terrarium for each species. For lizards and turtles heating mats are particularly suitable. A heating mat is an indispensable heat source in a terrarium with lizards.
However, there should be a certain temperature gradient in the terrarium. Reptiles keep in different heat zones on. Therefore, a terrarium should not be heated evenly.
Heating mats achieve the temperature gradient quite well. But you have to make sure that you choose the right size and performance. The mats are available in different sizes, lengths and performances.
Heating mats in high terrariums
A high terrarium is heated differently than a rectangular terrarium. In general, high terrariums are nice to look at, but unsuitable for lizards and turtles, as they move more on the ground. High terrariums are pointless, especially for turtles.
In a high terrarium, the maximum temperature can be reached in the upper range. Therefore, heating mats are rather difficult in a high terrarium. They work better as underfloor heating, although they can be glued to the sides.
Heating mats in rectangular terrariums
With a rectangular terrarium you should only heat the left side. The temperature gradient then goes from left to right. Of course, this is easier to achieve in large terrariums.
You can also use a heating mat with a Combine heat lamp. However, you always have to keep an eye on the temperature. The heat should be monitored regularly with suitable measuring devices.
It can also be combined with a heating stone. Heating stones are very popular with reptiles, but are usually not sufficient as the sole heat source. You cannot heat the air sufficiently.
This also makes sense because the animals come into physical contact with the stone. Geckos in particular like the stones as a digestive aid. The temperature on the surface should therefore be able to be set precisely.
With heating mats, on the other hand, you should make sure that the reptiles and turtles never in physical contact allowed to come with the heating mats. This is way too dangerous. The animals can damage the mats with their claws and get an electric shock or burn themselves on the mat.
A heating mat should therefore always be well covered become. For example, you can cover them with a thick layer of substrate if you are sure that the animals will not dig. However, it is even safer to attach it to the outside of the terrarium.
This is the only way to be really sure that the animals will not damage the heating mat. If the humidity in the terrarium is high, it is important that the heating mat is in a waterproof cover. Otherwise important technical parts can rust.
As a rule, heating mats are not put into operation for 24 hours. A natural day and night rhythm is very important for many animals. Desert animals in particular are used to large temperature differences. In the desert, it is dramatically cooler at night than during the day.
In general, it is possible to combine heating mats and heat panels with a temperature control equip. This makes sense when it is important that the temperature must remain constant during the day. For most reptiles, however, such controls are unnecessary, as they visit different temperature zones during the day anyway.
Advantages and disadvantages of heating mats in the terrarium
Advantages:
- cheap to buy
- cheap to maintain
- safe when properly installed
- enable a good temperature gradient in the terrarium
- Temperature adjustable
Disadvantages:
- no physical contact with the animal allowed
Heating mats in the terrarium have many advantages. They are a cheap way to heat a reptile home as they are both affordable and economical Power consumption affordable are. When properly attached, they are also secure.
Of course you have to be careful that the animals not in direct contact can come with the mat. Therefore, they should be attached to the outside of the terrarium or hidden under a thick layer of substrate. When attaching it, you should make sure that there is a temperature gradient in the terrarium.
For this reason, you should never stick a heating mat in the middle, but deliberately a corner select for heating. The temperature must be individually adjustable, since you need a different temperature in winter than in the summer months. Otherwise the terrarium will quickly become too warm in summer.
A disadvantage of heating mats is that you really shouldn’t bring them into contact with the animals. This can cause burns or life-threatening electric shocks. It is therefore worth supplementing the heating mat with a heating stone.
Especially geckos and other lizards like to sit on stones to warm up. You can often find them sunbathing in the wild. The stones heat up particularly quickly due to the sun’s rays.
What should you pay attention to when buying?
- self-adhesive
- Top, bottom and sides suitable
- resistant
- several layers of insulation
- temperature controller
- Protective cover waterproof
- overheat protection
- Lining film (for visible attachment)
- appropriate size and performance
- TÜV tested
A good heating mat is self-adhesive so you can securely attach it to the floor or side. It should also be suitable for the ceiling. One fairing foil is useful if you want to place it in a visible area.
The shell should resistant and be water resistant. Multiple layers of insulation are very helpful. You should be able to set the temperature individually using a controller. A built-in overheating protection is used for safety.
Since heating mats are technical devices, they should be tested. A TÜV seal is therefore important. Of course, you should also pay attention to the performance. For a small terrarium, 15 watts are usually sufficient.
Summary of heating mats in the terrarium
Heat mats are one good and cheap optionto heat a reptile home. In principle, every species-appropriate terrarium must be equipped with a heat source be equipped, otherwise keeping reptiles is not possible because they are cold-blooded animals.
It is important for the safety of the animals that the heating mat professionally attached becomes. It is best to stick them on the outside left of the terrarium. Therefore, the mat should self-adhesive be.
When buying it is important to make sure that the Performance corresponds to the size of the terrarium. Heating mats are available in quite different performance levels. In the trade you can find mat heaters with outputs from 5 to 45 watts buy.