Diurnal reptiles, or those that are active during the day, require UVB and heat for proper organ function, digestion and defecation. The heat is supplied via a bright basking light, which is a light bulb that focuses heat onto a small spot under which the reptile spends the majority of the day absorbing the heat. The average person knows that reptiles are cold-blooded, but often forget what cold-blooded means: reptiles are unable to create their own body heat. They rely on their environment to raise their body temperature. When they are cold, their metabolic rate is slowed and their bodies shut down. Reptiles need a consistent light cycle as their internal clocks will naturally know it is morning or night and will wake up or fall asleep at the same time every day, and having their lights on an automatic timer will help keep their routine. For the summer, most diurnal lizards require 14 hours of light per day, tapering down to 12 hours in the fall, 10 hours in the winter, back up to 12 hours in the spring, and then finally returning to 14 hour days in the summer. The light cycle adjustments should be done incrementally to ease them into their new schedule.
Basking lizards need 10-14 hours of light/heat every day, depending on the season.
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Always remember to check the basking surface temperature for your reptile at least once a week, and more often at seasonal changes when the temperatures fluctuate. Be sure to use a reliable thermometer or temp gun. Our thermometers page will help you understand why dial and garden thermometers are not accurate enough for this purpose. Reptile care sheets will give you a temperature range or precise basking temperature for the optimal health of your reptile. You can review our Reptile Care page for some basic care information and links to reputable websites for further research.
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Incandescent light - A light bulb containing a filament that glows white-hot when heated by a current passed through it.
Aside from the commercially available reptile basking lights, there are three different types of incandescent lights that you can purchase for your reptile. Each has slightly different properties, so consider the reason you need the light and your particular circumstances prior to purchasing the bulb.
Halogen Bulbs - A halogen bulb is an incandescent bulb that has a small amount of a halogen gas, such as iodine or bromine inside the glass globe. The halogen gas and tungsten filament produces a 'halogen cycle' chemical reaction, redepositing the evaporated tungsten back onto the filament, keeping the interior glass of the bulb clean. This produces a consistent light and heat level over the life of the bulb instead of the bulb darkening and dimming over time. Halogens have an approximate 15% hotter spot than other types of incandescent lighting and can be a burn safety concern. Precautions should be taken to make sure your reptile cannot come into contact with the surface of the halogen bulb, and the use of a wire cage or wire mesh over the bulb will help keep your reptile safe.
Flood lights - Another form of incandescent light bulb using a filament wire heated to high temperatures by a current that passes through, with the glass globe being filled with an inert gas, typically argon. They have a reflector inside the globe which directs the light forward, effectively doubling the amount of heat/light in the front central area, forming a moderate 'spot' concentration of heat/light.
Spot lights - An incandescent light that functions the same as the flood light, but further concentrating the light/heat into an even smaller spot. These lights also contain a filament, current, an inert gas, and a reflector.
Halogen Bulbs - A halogen bulb is an incandescent bulb that has a small amount of a halogen gas, such as iodine or bromine inside the glass globe. The halogen gas and tungsten filament produces a 'halogen cycle' chemical reaction, redepositing the evaporated tungsten back onto the filament, keeping the interior glass of the bulb clean. This produces a consistent light and heat level over the life of the bulb instead of the bulb darkening and dimming over time. Halogens have an approximate 15% hotter spot than other types of incandescent lighting and can be a burn safety concern. Precautions should be taken to make sure your reptile cannot come into contact with the surface of the halogen bulb, and the use of a wire cage or wire mesh over the bulb will help keep your reptile safe.
Flood lights - Another form of incandescent light bulb using a filament wire heated to high temperatures by a current that passes through, with the glass globe being filled with an inert gas, typically argon. They have a reflector inside the globe which directs the light forward, effectively doubling the amount of heat/light in the front central area, forming a moderate 'spot' concentration of heat/light.
Spot lights - An incandescent light that functions the same as the flood light, but further concentrating the light/heat into an even smaller spot. These lights also contain a filament, current, an inert gas, and a reflector.