Choosing the right heating for your vivarium
Heat lamp, heat mat, heat panel or heat cable?
Heating systems at a glance
- Heat lamp: radiant heat from above for basking spots.
- Heat mat: gentle background heat, suited to thin plastic rearing tubs.
- Heat panel: even, energy-efficient surface heating – a good option for snakes.
- Heat cable: flexible and localised, ideal for creating several temperature zones.
Which heating for which situation?
- Small to medium vivariums: heat cable or heat panel.
- Large vivariums: combine a heat panel with a heat lamp to create temperature zones.
- Desert species (bearded dragons, leopard geckos): radiant heat from above.
- Snakes: a heat panel is usually the better choice.
With many heat sources – heat mats, heat panels and heat cables, for example – a thermostat is essential to prevent overheating and fire risk. With basking lamps, a timer for the day-night rhythm is usually sufficient. Always keep flammable materials away from any heat source.
Check temperatures daily with a thermometer or thermostat, and inspect the equipment regularly for wear.