Where Wild Meets Care

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South Africa’s dedicated source for premium reptile husbandry equipment. From thermostats and UVB lighting to PVC enclosures — everything your scaly companion needs to thrive, right here in Johannesburg and delivered nationwide.

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Premium Reptile Care, Built for South Africa

At Reptile Basics, we understand that keeping reptiles isn’t just a hobby — it’s a commitment. Every species has unique needs when it comes to temperature, humidity, lighting and space. Get any of these wrong and your animal suffers. Get them right and you’ll watch your reptile truly thrive.

That’s why we built Reptile Basics — South Africa’s dedicated source for serious reptile husbandry equipment. We don’t sell everything. We sell the right things. Every product in our range has been chosen because it does the job properly — from entry-level thermostats for new keepers to advanced day/night dimming controllers for experienced breeders.

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Most Loved  Featured Products

These are the items South African reptile keepers trust most. Quality you can see. Results your animal will feel.

Latest Products

Trusted by Reptile Keepers Across South Africa

4.9/5

From 800+ reviews

From first-time gecko owners to experienced breeders — here’s what our customers have to say about their experience with Reptile Basics.

“

I've been keeping ball pythons for years and struggled to find reliable thermostats locally. Reptile Basics changed that completely. The Digital Day/Night Dimming Thermostat is the best I've used — my temperatures are rock solid and my snakes have never been healthier. Fast delivery to Cape Town too!

Liam van der Merwe BallPython Keeper, Cape Town
“

Finally a South African store that actually understands reptile husbandry. Ordered a PVC arboreal enclosure for my chameleon and the quality blew me away. Solid build, great ventilation and arrived perfectly packaged. Will definitely be ordering again.

Priya NaidooChameleon Keeper, Durban
“

I was new to keeping bearded dragons and had no idea where to start with heating and UVB. The range on Reptile Basics is well organised and easy to understand. Got exactly what I needed at a fair price and my beardie is thriving. Shipping to Pretoria was quick too.

Ethan BothaBearded Dragon Owner, Pretoria
“

Bought a ceramic heat emitter and a thermostat combo. Setup was straightforward and the equipment works exactly as described. Great to finally have a dedicated reptile equipment store in South Africa rather than having to import everything from overseas.

Sipho DlaminiLeopard Gecko Keeper, Johannesburg

The World We Care For

Real setups and real moments captured by the Reptile Basics team. Because when you love what you do, every detail is worth photographing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions before you order? We’ve got answers. From choosing the right thermostat to understanding shipping — everything you need to know is right here.

WHAT AREAS DO YOU DELIVER TO AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

We deliver nationwide across all 9 provinces of South Africa. Orders to Johannesburg are shipped at a flat rate of R100, and all other areas nationally at R150. Once your order is confirmed and payment is received, delivery typically takes 2–5 business days depending on your location. You will receive a tracking number as soon as your order is dispatched.

WHICH THERMOSTAT IS RIGHT FOR MY REPTILE?

The right thermostat depends on your heating setup and species. For basic heat mats and ceramic emitters, our Elementary or Basic Thermostat works perfectly. For basking species like bearded dragons that need separate day and night temperatures, we recommend our Digital Day/Night Dimming Thermostat. If you also need humidity control, our Thermostat and Hygrostat Combo covers both temperature and moisture in one unit. Not sure? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept all major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Capitec Pay, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options, and Capitec EFT — all processed securely through Stitch Express. Your payment details are never stored on our servers.

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Tips, Advices &  Daily Blogs

Stay informed, keep learning. Our blog covers everything from beginner setup guides to advanced husbandry tips — written specifically for reptile keepers in South Africa.

Blog

Beginner’s Complete Guide to Setting Up Your First Reptile Enclosure in South Africa

So you have decided to get a reptile. Maybe you have been researching for weeks.…
Blog

UVB Lighting for Reptiles in South Africa: Why It’s Non-Negotiable and How to Get It Right

Walk into any reptile keeper's home and you will almost certainly see a UV lamp…
Blog

PVC vs Glass Reptile Enclosures: Which Is Better for Your Animal and Why It Matters More Than You Thin

Choosing an enclosure is one of the biggest decisions you will make as a reptile…
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