There is quite a debate among the owners of chameleons regarding the need for heat mats in the terrarium. After going through quite a few forum discussions, you can feel that most of the owners are not convinced of using a heat mat in the shelter of the chameleon as they love to roam about outside their terrarium and not just stay within the shelter.
Now this situation gives us two options, to get or not to get a heating pad. This question can be answered by the questions related to the individual situation.
If you stay in a pretty cold place where most of the months in a year the outside weather remains under 15 degree Celsius then you should not take the risk of not having a heating pad or heat mat in the terrarium. You have to remember that chameleons are basically from the dry or humid hot region. They stay healthy when the temperature is on the higher side, that is, above 25 degree Celsius. Also, you can get a bulb for chameleons.
When the temperature outside is less than 15 degree you should not let the chameleon move around and make it stay within the terrarium only. The heat mat should be kept on, though you must keep a check that the chameleon does not sit very near to it, as that may burn their skin.
Using a heat mat is necessary when your chameleon is sick and down with a cold. This also can happen during the rainy season. You cannot expect the creature to get well on its own if the weather is not hot enough for it. So keeping the terrarium hot during rains is also necessary.
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Do chameleons need heat mats?
The full-grown matured chameleons may live healthily without heat mats if it stays in a warmer region. Chameleons prefer to stay in the warmer and tropical weathered area. If you stay in a cold region then you should arrange for the heat mat.
Also, the baby chameleons need a heat mat to keep warm and need care. They will catch a cold easily if the weather is not warm. With age and time, they get accustomed to the outdoor atmosphere and tend to fall less ill.
Top 5 Heat Mats for Chameleons
We have researched the market and all the heat mats available. If you are confused about which one will be the right choice for your chameleon’s enclosure, then can offer you a few heat mats which will be suitable for your pets.
1. Fluker’s 29050 Heat Pad for Reptiles
This well-known brand offers heat mat which comes in different sizes. So this brand allows you to use the heat mat for different sized chameleons, a big or a small one. You can put it under the base of the chameleon’s enclosure and it will stick steadily, without disturbing the natural movements of the reptile.
You can also keep this heat mat on the side of the terrarium, but with chameleons, it is not much safe an option, as they can get curious and try to get near the mat which may pose a threat to the accident. You will not get any glue or adhesive sticker with this mat so you need to fix this mat with some tape.
This is a nice and workable mat which takes an hour or so to get heated up for the first time. The solid surface of the floor gets heated up smoothly and the chameleon will be able to digest the food properly in the heated atmosphere presented by the heat mat.
This heat mat offers a good amount of temperature and it is a safe gadget for your reptile. However, there is no thermostat available with this mat so you need to arrange for a thermostat. Without a thermostat, the heat that it radiates will be lost very soon and power will be wasted a lot. Also using a thermostat at the night time is necessary as heating pad should be shut off at that time, but the heat will remain there for a few hours.
Pros:
- Safe gadget
- Provides adequate heat
- Energy saving
Cons:
- No thermostat included
2. Tikaton Reptile Heat Pad
This heat mat comes with a temperature regulator which makes it an ideal choice for many chameleon owners. If you can increase the temperature on the winter days and decrease it on the nights then there is nothing better for the chameleons. The brand offers different sized mats for a big and moderate terrarium.
Along with manual temperature adjustment, you will be able to enjoy a healthy reptile that enjoys its daily activity and eats its food with regular appetite. As the chameleon will be able to sleep at a low temperature at the night time, its regular sleep pattern will not be disturbed. This heat mat is made from durable PVC material which makes it long-lasting.
The mat is pretty soft and flexible thus you can use it any corner of the terrarium. This mat can be easily washed too so you can clean it once in a while to keep the bacteria away. Connect it to the power button before you fix it to the floor of the terrarium as after putting the adhesive on, you will not be able to connect it to the power source.
After switching it on, give it some time and it will be flattened. Then you can use it on the terrarium, or else it will remain crumpled. You can put it outside the wall of the tank if you are worried about the safety of your chameleon. That way you can keep the mat on even during the night time of winters when you will not be around to keep a check on your pet.
This heat mat is pretty water-resistant, so you can expect it to work well even after a few drops are sprinkled over it. This one also has a control dial and a cord but as per the users, those two are not very useful parts of this heat mat.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Long-lasting
- Comes with manual temperature control
- Pocket-friendly price
Cons:
- Flimsy dial and cord
3. Zacro Reptile Heat Pad
This heat pad is pretty useful when it comes to a long-lasting product for the terrarium of your reptile. This one is made from PVC material which is good with respect to durability. PVC material also allows this mat to be cleaned easily.
When you use this heat mat on the terrarium of your reptile, it becomes much active. You will see it moving and jumping all day as its activity level will be increased due to the ample heat produced by this mat. No harm will be done by this mat to your reptile as it has been proven to be the safest mat of all times.
Double side tape is good ways to fix this mat to the terrarium but do not forget to switch the power source on before you do so. Not only does it take care of the heat but also the humidity of the terrarium is modified by the heat mat as the hot and warm air holds more humidity. The heat output is balanced with the energy it consumes so it can be safely said to be a nice and energy-saving product for your chameleon.
Pros:
- Energy saving
- Durable PVC made
- Pet friendly and safe
Cons:
- Sometimes the temperature drops
4. Focuspet Under-Tank Heating Pad
Three different sizes of this heating pad make it a superb option for the chameleon owners. Be it a big or a moderate-sized terrarium you can use this heat mat to keep the chameleons warm all day and night. The smooth temperature radiation pattern will allow the pet to sleep comfortably at night. This is the best way to keep the chameleon healthy and hearty. It also enables easy digestion of food in reptiles.
The wire heating of this heat mat is provided by high-quality material and it also allows the heat to reach all corners of the terrarium equally. As the heat gets distributed evenly, it makes the terrarium warm from all corners. The adhesive offered with this pad is pretty useful and it does not wear off after a few months of use.
The performance of the heat mat is stable and it also allows the mat to work for long. The insulation layer of this heat mat works efficiently so you get to use this mat for long hours while holding the temperature at a fix. The reptile will be healthy and love the atmosphere within the terrarium as this heat mat will provide it with much comfortable weather.
The mat is pretty safe too and it will not burn the chameleon, so you can use it without worrying of any mishap to your chameleon. You can modify the temperature for the warmer days and colder nights so this is an ideal gadget for your chameleon’s terrarium.
Pros:
- Safe and secure
- Warms evenly
- Long-lasting PVC made
Cons:
- For some users, the heat cracked the glass of the terrarium
5. Wuhostam Waterproof Reptile Heating Pad
This one is highly recommended by most of the pet owners as this heat mat offers stable warming of the inner area of reptile shelter. It provides adequate heat for the chameleon on the wintry nights and days. You can decrease the temperature when it becomes hotter outside.
This heat mat is very energy efficient and it will provide ample heat by consuming less amount of power. There is an automatic thermostat which offers even distribution of heat within the terrarium. It comes with a standard quality plug which makes it work without causing any accident for long months.
This one is waterproof and thus is pretty safe. Do not worry about a few drops of water if you spill them while misting the plants of the terrarium. The substrate surface will be evenly warmed by this heat mat. There are few users who have complained about the heat being too much, but you can check that yourself and make the heat mat work at per your satisfaction.
Pros:
- Stable performance
- Long-lasting
- Even heat distribution
Cons:
- No marking on the temperature dial.
How effective are heat mats for chameleons?
Heat mats are much useful and effective for chameleons if they are used properly. The mat should not be on for the whole day and night. In the cold season, you can keep the mat on for the day but remember to switch it off during the night as it should not be kept on for the whole night.
If the terrarium becomes too hot after the whole night’s heat radiation, it will be stuffy for the chameleon. Also, you will not be able to watch over the chameleon, which may go too near the heat mat and get harmed.
Why it is not recommended to keep the heat mat on during night?
Chameleons prefer to stay less warm during nights. Most of the chameleons stay healthy at the usual night time temperature of the homes they are staying in. If you are staying in a cold place then only you can think of keeping the heating mat on with less heat.
How much heat is required by the chameleons?
Chameleons need 21 to 27 degree Celsius temperature whereas, but there are variations in the species which need a little bit more or less temperature.If you have adopted a veiled chameleon then you should arrange for 32 to 38 degree Celsius temperature. A Jackson’s chameleon needs much lesser heat as this one will be healthy when you set the temperature at 27 to 29 degree Celsius.
Conclusion:
Keeping the tropical reptiles warm is one of the prior conditions of keeping them at home. While adopting a chameleon you must decide on which heat mat you will keep at the terrarium.
There are quite a few available on the market but you must choose wisely thinking about the size of the terrarium, heating power and power usage. Some renowned sellers offer heat mats that come with superlative features whereas some lesser-known manufacturers provide heat mats that come with basic features. You must always do some research on the features that you want for your chameleon.
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