How to Hook a Heat Lamp on a Lizard Cage

Hooking a heating lamp to the outside of a reptile cage is often safer than setting up a light stand outside the cage, since a stand could fall over and pose a fire hazard. Fortunately, heat lamps usually have clamps that let you attach the light in a secure way. When attaching the lamp, ensure you follow several safety precautions, since heating lamps often pose a fire hazard and might kill the reptile.

Instructions

    • 1

      Squeeze the handles on the clamp, if the lamp is attached to a clamp. Place the clamp on one of the cage bars and tug gently on the lamp to ensure that the clamp is secure. Some clamp lamps have a gooseneck, allowing you to move the lamp wherever you want, shining the light into the cage.

    • 2

      Clamp the light on top of the cage if the lamp does not have a gooseneck, so the light points down into the cage. If the cage is small, point the lamp at a corner of the cage to ensure that the cage has a hot and cold area.

    • 3

      Point the light at only one part of the cage, to allow the reptile to move closer or farther away from the heat to maintain its body temperature.

    • 4

      Plug the light into a timer and plug the timer into the wall. The timer ensures the reptile receives light during a certain time frame, since reptiles need a period of light and a period of darkness.

    • 5

      Replace the heating bulb after a certain time period based on the manufacturer̵7;s specifications. Some bulbs will appear lit but will not actually emit enough heat or UV light. Give the bulb time to cool down before removing it from the light source.