Urgent · Reptiles
Reptile temperature emergency
Reptiles depend on outside heat. Overheating can kill in minutes; chilling slows immunity and digestion.
Immediate safe actions
- Overheated (gaping, frantic, then limp): move to a cooler room immediately and offer a shallow lukewarm (not cold) soak in water no deeper than the chin.
- Chilled (sluggish, unresponsive): warm gradually over 1–2 hours to the species' normal range with a room heater or warm (not hot) area.
- Check thermostats, bulbs, and use a digital probe thermometer.
- Call an exotic vet if the reptile is not alert after normal temperatures are restored.
What NOT to do
- Do not plunge into ice-cold water.
- Do not put a cold reptile on a heat rock or directly under a hot lamp.
- Do not feed until fully warmed and alert.
Information to gather for the vet
- Enclosure temperatures (hot side, cool side, overnight)
- How long the exposure lasted
- Weight and species
Red flags
- Unresponsive after warming
- Seizures, loss of righting reflex
- Overheating with collapse
Veterinary escalation
- Heat stroke signs or no improvement after warming = emergency vet.
General educational information only. Species differ greatly — always confirm with a licensed veterinarian or animal poison service.