Criptic's Page On Herps - Reptiles - General Care

This section will explain the basic ranges of temperature types. If you are looking for a specific animal type, please search for them above in the menu bar. However not all animals have books or information out for them. This will give you a basic understanding of what requirements are necessary for their proper care. Also please remember that it is beyond the scope of this section to give exact temperatures for all herps. Because of this, please provide a gradient of temperatures within the enclosure, as most herpetoculturist provide.

Here are some basic guidelines for temperatures.

Desert/semi arid

Temperature nearest spotlight: 95-100 F.
Area furthest from spotlight: low to mid 80's F.
Nighttime temperatures: 70's F

Winter temperatures: Temperate desert species should be hibernated; otherwise daytime temperatures should be dropped 5-10 F, with nighttime temperatures in the 60's F for two months.

Temperate

Temperature nearest spotlight: 90-95 F.
Temperature furthest from spotlight: high 70's to low 80's F
Nighttime temperature: 70's F
Winter temperatures: Should be hibernated; temperature should be 50-60F for 2-3 months.

Lowland tropical/cleared areas/dry tropical forest

Temperature nearest spotlight: 90-95 F
Temperature furthest from spotlight: low 80's F
Nighttime temperature: high 70's to low 80's F
Winter temperatures: Drop temperature 5-8 F for 1-2 months

Under canopy/ground level tropical forest

Temperature nearest spotlight: 85-90 F
Temperature furthest from spotlight: low to mid 80's F
Nighttime temperature: High 70's to low 80's F
Winter temperatures: N/A

Montane tropical species

Temperature nearest spotlight: 80-85 F
Temperature furthest from spotlight: mid to high 70's F
Nighttime temperature: mid 60's to low 70's F
Winter temperatures: N/A

Once you start finding out more information for your particular species, vary these guidelines to fit your exact species.

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