Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Other animals

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

5 best reptile heating pads to keep your little friend warm

Rebekkah Adams
By

Lizards, snakes, turtles, and tortoises are all reptiles, which means they have a few specific needs you’ll want to think about before bringing them home. Most importantly, most reptiles are cold-blooded, meaning they can’t make their own body heat and instead need to absorb heat from the environment around them. As you might guess, this means they like warm, sunny places to bask in order to keep their temperature (and therefore their energy level) up. When you bring home a reptile, it’s important to make sure you have a heating pad or your animal will quickly get too cold and might even slip into hibernation. Not sure where to start? Here are some of the best reptile heating pads. 

Lizard suns on a rock under a heat source
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tikaton Reptile Heat Pad – Temperature Adjustable Under Tank Heater

A versatile heating pad, this one can go under the tank or stick to the side to diffuse heat. It’s important to note, though, that placing any heating pad on top of furniture could cause permanent damage as they’re really only made to go on glass or another temperature-resistant material. There are also two different sizes you can choose from depending on your housing and setup. We do recommend putting the heater on one side rather than the front or back, which allows a more secluded basking area that warms a section of the tank rather than the whole thing. A user loves the fact that it can be adjusted to different temperatures, remarking, “Works great! Nice heat control. Purchased this to use with our leopard gecko, works great for a 10 gallon tank. Highly recommend!!!”

Recommended Videos

FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Heater (50W/75W/100W) with LED Temperature Display

We know it’s for fish, but hear us out. This one works great for any marine reptiles that really need a heater that can be immersed in the water to heat it a little better. While you absolutely want warmer and cooler areas, you do need a baseline water temperature that won’t get too low and cause your aquatic turtle to go into a stupor. Unlike other heating pads that don’t do well in water, this one has to be submerged. It runs very efficiently, shutting off when the water reaches the desired temperature and turning back on when it drops, just like the thermostat in your house. Commenters mention that even though it’s really designed for fish, it’s still “Turtle approved,” and one fan even remarks, “My hatchlings love to float over top of it, and they even sleep on it sometimes!”

KABASI Reptile Heating Pad, 14W / 20W Waterproof Reptile Heat Pad Under Tank Terrarium with Temperature Control

This highly energy-efficient and energy-saving heating pad “Works perfectly,” according to one reviewer. It goes underneath the tank but does a good job of warming the substrate and delivering heat into the housing. While the pad cannot go in the water itself for long periods of time, you can feel free to clean it with a damp rag since it’s mostly waterproof. Your beardie, leopard gecko, or tortoise will thank you for keeping them safe and toasty. Remember to include a thermometer and hygrometer so you don’t overheat or under-moisten your habitat.

The best reptile heating pad with thermostat: iPower Reptile Heat Pad 4W/8W/16W/24W Under Tank Terrarium Warmer

The ultimate in a thermometer and heating pad mix, this one’s temperature is controlled so you can choose your setting and monitor your tank as needed. It displays the temperature as either Fahrenheit or Celsius and has a range between 40 and 108 degrees, which means you can warm to just about any level that you need for your animal (and make sure that it stays there). You’ll also have better insulation across the mat so it works well if you need something a bit more uniform or want to heat a larger area. A happy corn snake owner highly recommends this heating pad and says, “The heat pad hasn’t fallen off & provides good heat throughout the night.”

Repticare Rock HeaterMini

More than just a heating pad, this “Awesome Secondary Heat Source,” as one happy reviewer puts it, will look good and add a little warmth to your tank. Keep in mind, unlike many pads, it doesn’t have any form of temperature control and some users mention that they cover it just to make sure it doesn’t wind up burning their pets. One extra bonus is that you can add it as part of the decor and it won’t burn your furniture or block your view of your animal as some others will. Even birds and mammals like this, and it’s great for bearded dragons or box turtles too (although it is not a good fit for marine reptiles).

No matter what kind of reptile you have, it probably requires some type of heat source, but keep in mind these aren’t your only options. You can also look into heating lamps, which some species seem to prefer. Many owners note, though, that it can come down to a particular animal eschewing the main heating source and loving something else, with very little ability to predict what any individual will take to. Some lamps allow for a more localized heated region for basking, but the pad will do a better job at evenly distributing the warmth. It really all depends on your needs, your pet’s needs, and your setup. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Everything you want to know about the reptile life cycle, from egg to adulthood
These are the four stages of the reptile life cycle
Chameleon reptile sitting on a branch

You've been familiar with dog years, and you've heard that cats have nine lives. But what do you know about reptiles?

The class Reptilia is a diverse group of animals that range from the tiniest lizards to the largest turtles. They're the distant evolutionary cousin of birds defined by a few unique characteristics, including the internal fertilization of their young and scales covering at least part of their bodies (via Britannica). Apart from these essential traits, reptiles are incredibly variable and can only be classified into a few large groups.

Read more
Can you take your bearded dragon on a walk? We tried so you don’t have to
Bearded dragon on a leash with a harness

Everyone understands that Fido needs to be walked, typically multiple times per day. But many other animals enjoy an excursion to the great outdoors too — we've all seen cute pics of cats, bunnies, and even ferrets rocking a leash. Want to give it a try with your lizard? It is possible to walk a bearded dragon, and both of you can enjoy the experience, provided you don't have dog-level expectations. It might take a little extra preparation, but with the right equipment, you can take a trip out to explore the wide world together. 

Do beardies like to go on walks?
Well, define walks. You won't be able to take your reptile out and do laps with him around the neighborhood. Make sure you only intend to go for a tiny outing and that you start really small. Truth be told, he'll probably just look around a little bit and then decide to go back inside where it's temperature and humidity-controlled and there's unlimited free food. But you may find that he looks forward to these short jaunts into his natural habitat. If that winds up being the case, you should continue them even though it's not the same as a "real" romp.
What type of harness does my bearded dragon need?
Especially at first, you'll need some way to secure your animal, and that's where the harness comes in. Just as you'd put your dog or cat on a leash attached to a collar, so too you need something to maintain control and keep track of your reptile. Don't go outside without something to keep him close by since it only takes seconds to lose track of your pet, who can get away quickly and go under or over things you can't. Some of these contraptions come in different sizes, and you can try a few out and see what works best for the both of you. Choose one specifically for this species, though — do not repurpose a mammal harness or try to make your own if he hasn't tried it out yet. You need him to stay secure for the entirety of your expedition.
How do I know if my beardie is comfortable?
You certainly want to ensure that the harness fits and that you aren't dragging him around, much as you would with any other pet. On top of that, though, check the temp outside before scheduling your journey. It needs to be extremely warm for him to do well outdoors. As in, well into the 80s preferably with a gentle sun beating down. Don't go out in the rain or cold as that does not match his natural habitat, which is often the desert and other warm climates. However, he also needs the opportunity for a cooldown at a moment's notice. Stay within reach of some shade as that will allow him to escape there as needed. Along these lines, keep the walks short to start, maybe five or 10 minutes until you adjust to his preference. 

Read more
Are turtles reptiles or amphibians? Here’s what you need to know
Learn the truth about turtles
Sea turtle swims gently in the sea

You probably learned in 3rd grade what an amphibian is: an animal that lives both in the water and on land; the name even has the Greek word for "both," "amphi," in it. But as with all things, it's actually a little more complicated than the explanation we got in elementary school. Of course, lots of animals would fit this description that definitely are not amphibians. After all, otters and penguins live on water and land, but they certainly don't qualify. It's especially tricky to distinguish between reptiles and amphibians since they share so many characteristics in common. So how do we tell them apart? Are turtles really reptiles or amphibians? This is how it all works. 

What makes reptiles and amphibians special?
Like humans, fish, and birds, reptiles and amphibians are both vertebrates. This means we all have backbones, unlike bugs or jellyfish. Most birds and mammals live on land; fish spend the majority of their lives in water. But the other groups are special because they get a little of each (we'll break that down in a minute). Additionally, these guys are cold-blooded while humans are warm-blooded. That means we make our own heat and need sweaters and blankets to trap it on or sweat to cool it off. Reptiles absorb heat from their environments, so you typically see them choosing to live in warmer climates and hibernating in winter. However, there are a few key differences between reptiles and amphibians. 

Read more