How to Attach a Light on a Reptile Terrarium

Most reptiles require heat and ultraviolet lights to remain healthy. Although these lights are readily available at most pet supply stores, many pet owners are unsure of the best way to attach them to their reptile's cage. Incorrectly attached lights can create a fire hazard, burn your reptile or provide insufficient warmth. The best way to attach a light to your reptile's terrarium is partially determined by the kind of light and terrarium you have.

Things You'll Need

  • Screwhook
  • String
  • Scissors
  • Clamp lamp
  • Deep dome light
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Instructions

    • 1

      Suspend the light from your ceiling. Many dome-style lights come with a metal attachment so they can hang upside down from the ceiling. If your light has this fixture, ceiling suspension is one of the safest ways to provide your reptile with light. Simply attach a screwhook to the ceiling. Then, cut a piece of string to attach to the hook at one end and metal light attachment at the other. Suspend the light so that it is three to four inches from the top of the cage. Observe the light for a few hours before leaving it unattended to ensure that it is stable.

    • 2

      Clip the light to the reptile's cage. Cages that have sides that come up slightly higher than the lid are ideal for this. Purchase a clamp lamp and simply clip it onto the cage. Test it for stability by rocking the light to ensure it does not fall. If you are unable to clamp the light to the cage, try clamping it to something next to the cage like a table or desk. Ensure that the light is positioned above the cage lid and that light flows downward into the cage.

    • 3

      Use a deep dome light. These lights are typically at least 10 inches deep, which means that the heat bulb is several inches away from the end of the lamp. This makes these fixtures safe to place directly on top of the cage if you have a mesh cage or a cage with a mesh lid. Avoid placing these lights on plastic, which will melt and may burn your pet or create a fire hazard.

    • 4

      Position the lamp's cord to prevent fires. The cord should be long enough to easily fit into the light socket. Cords that are pulled are more likely to fall partially out of the electrical socket, creating a spark. The cord should dip down slightly under the electrical socket. This loop prevents water from the reptile's cage from flowing directly into the outlet.