FAQ: Supplies for reptiles

Crickets and roaches can squeeze through vent mesh or gaps and spread around the house. So it is worth feeding a few insects at a time or from a smooth-sided dish and removing any left uneaten.

When a tortoise spends a sunny day outdoors, natural sunlight provides UVB, so no lamp is needed then. But in Lithuania's climate a tortoise lives indoors for most of the year, so a UVB lamp is still essential.

The thermostat probe is usually fixed in the warm zone, where the reptile warms up, so the thermostat controls that temperature. Secure the probe so the reptile cannot pull it out and do not bury it in substrate unless the manufacturer says so.

Lizards, especially bearded dragons, sometimes gape to cool down once they reach the temperature they need. If the lizard does this constantly or breathes with difficulty, check that the basking spot is not too hot and there is a cool zone, and see a vet if you suspect illness.

No. UVA light affects reptiles' vision and behaviour, but making vitamin D3 requires UVB. When buying, check that the lamp clearly emits UVB and that its strength is stated.

It depends on the wattage of the lamps and heaters, how many hours they run and the room temperature. A thermostat and timer help save energy because the heater does not run needlessly, and an insulated back wall reduces heat loss.

Yes, as long as the lamp light and night-time activity do not bother you and the reptile has a calm setting. Some thermostats or filters make a little noise, and lights in the terrarium must be off at night.

A well-kept reptile terrarium usually hardly smells at all. Odour appears when droppings are not removed promptly, the substrate is too wet or aquatic turtle water is dirty, so daily spot-cleaning and a good filter help.

Reptile mites look like tiny black or red moving dots on the skin, around the eyes or in the water dish. If you spot mites, see a vet, clean the terrarium thoroughly and replace the substrate, and keep other reptiles apart.

Stress can show as constant hiding or pacing along the glass, refusing food, darkening colour, hissing or striking. Common causes are too little space, a lack of hides, wrong temperatures or too much handling.

Some lizards, such as leopard geckos, can drop their tail when frightened or grabbed by it. Keep the wound clean, switch the substrate to paper for a while, and see a vet if it bleeds or looks infected.

Paper towel or newspaper is easy to change and lets you see droppings, so it is often used during quarantine, illness or treatment. It is also safe for juveniles that are still learning to catch food.

Substrates sold for reptiles are usually ready to use. Soil, sand or bark you collect yourself is often worth baking in the oven or otherwise treating to kill parasites, then cooling before use.

Some keepers leave a small dish of plain calcium without D3 for leopard geckos and other lizards to lick as needed. It does not replace dusting insects, and the dish must stay dry and clean.

Yes, it is worth having a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier that can be insulated in cold weather. Snakes go in a cloth bag inside a box, and tortoises in a box with a non-slip floor.

A heat cable can be laid under substrate, behind a background or across several terrariums in a row when gentle, flexibly placed heat is needed. It always runs through a thermostat and must not be pinched or cross over itself.

A mesh lid or one with openings for lamps helps prevent escapes, keeps other pets out and reduces evaporation. It must not be glass under the UVB lamp, because glass blocks UVB.

The cool zone lets the reptile cool down once it has warmed up and protects it from overheating. If the whole terrarium is evenly hot, the reptile cannot regulate its body temperature and becomes stressed.

Aquarium-grade silicone without anti-mould additives is used to fit backgrounds or decor and is considered safe once fully cured. It must cure completely and the terrarium must air out before the reptile goes in.

On a warm, sunny day a short spell outdoors in a secure mesh enclosure with shade can provide natural UVB. Never leave the lizard unattended or in an enclosure without shade, as it can overheat quickly or escape.