The Best Reptile Thermostats

Most species of reptiles require additional warmth to thrive in captive environments. For example, snakes require under-tank heating pads for belly heat to properly digest their foods, while lizards such as bearded dragons need hot basking spots in their enclosures to replicate the natural temperatures they experience in the wild. It is extremely important to be able to regulate these temperatures for the safety of reptiles. Do it with a thermostat, and the best type of reptile thermostat depends on your situation.

  1. On/Off Thermostats

    • An on/off thermostat controls the temperature in a reptile cage and not for an expensive price. When the temperature is too high, the thermostat shuts off the heat source. When the temperature is too low, the thermostat turns it on. This thermostat is favored for its compatibility with many heat sources. Note that because it simply turns the heat source on and off, it can lead to higher thermal fluctuations than other thermostats. Avoid the on/off thermostat in more temperature-sensitive situations, for example when incubating reptile eggs.

    Dimmer or Proportional Thermostats

    • Use a dimmer thermostat if you want accuracy and stability in your reptile environment. Instead of turning it off when the temperature gets too high, it merely lessens power. When the temperature is too cool, it supplies more power to the heat source. These thermostats are best for situations that require more accurate, constant temperatures.

    Pulse Thermostats

    • Depending on what the temperature requires, the pulse thermostat pulses the current at a lower or higher speed. Pulse thermostats do not work with light heat sources, but are best for situations similar to those of dimmer thermostats, when under-tank heaters supply the warmth.

    Cost

    • You don't need to buy the most expensive device on the market to get the best one. In fact, the best reptile thermostats are not necessarily designed specifically for captive reptiles. Many good-quality thermostats can be found at local home improvement or hardware stores.