Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Zoo Med was a proud sponsor of ‪@SnakeDiscovery‬'s recent ReptiCruise Fan event!
Check the video for part 1 of this fun adventure! 🐢🛳️

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

To the reptile community,

As many of you know, on May 10th, 2024, nearly one year ago, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued Zoo Med a notice of noncompliance regarding 14 of our animal care-specific bulbs:

- Repti Basking Spot Lamp (50W, 75W, 100W)
- Repti Tuff™ Splashproof Halogen (50W, 75W, 90W)
- Daylight Blue™ Reptile Bulb 100W
- ReptiSun® Mega Compact 65W
- Avian Sun™ 5.0 UVB
- ReptiSun® 10.0 CFL 26W
- ReptiSun® 5.0 CFL 26W
- Ultra Sun® 6500K Super Daylight Mini CFL
- ReptiSun® 3-in-1
- Paludarium 3-in-1

This determination cited the Department's efficiency standard for general service lamps (GSLs), which requires a minimum of 45 lumens per watt, regulations enacted on July 25, 2022 to improve the efficiency of household lighting. Despite proactively engaging with the DOE, our efforts to clarify the unique needs of animal husbandry received minimal response. Ultimately, we were the only company issued a formal noncompliance notice, and we were forced to immediately halt sales of the 14 affected products or face steep penalties.

Over the next 361 days, Zoo Med, backed with the support of the broader reptile community, including USARK, zoos, veterinarians, scientists, and lighting experts, worked tirelessly to advocate for our shared needs. Together with our legal counsel, we engaged in numerous email exchanges, and hours upon hours of video calls and detailed educational presentations with the DOE, making the case that these specialized bulbs are essential for the health and well-being of countless animal species.

We exhausted all of our resources to find suitable substitutes for the bulbs affected, but in the end, we and a number of lighting experts confirmed that there were no equivalent alternatives. In the meantime, we released two new products, the 40W and 125W Repti Basking Spot® bulbs, which fell outside the designation of a GSL, to help meet the demand without compromising infrared output or spectral quality.

Then, on May 6th, 2025, just one year shy of the original notice, the DOE announced they would not pursue enforcement against any seller of GSLs intended exclusively for the care of reptiles, amphibians, and small animals.
This is not just a win for Zoo Med, it’s a landmark victory for the entire reptile community. In an era where herpetoculture often faces new regulatory challenges, this decision underscores what we can accomplish together. It is incredibly rare for a federal agency to reconsider and amend a policy based on community advocacy, and it happened because of you.

However, this discretional enforcement statement is not a rule change. Zoo Med will continue fighting and advocating for a permanent exemption for animal care lamps and will continue to count on your help and support.
To everyone who raised their voice, showed their support, and advocated on behalf of herpetoculture, thank you. We could not have made it through this without you.

-Your Friends at Zoo Med Labs

7 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 9

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Do you like Reptiles? Cruise Ships? Reptiles AND Cruise Ships!? Well we've got the deal for you! Check out this ‪@SnakeDiscovery‬ Video to learn how you can win a Zoo Med sponsored room for Snake Discovery's Repti-Cruise Event!

7 months ago | [YT] | 4

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Our friends at ‪@ResponsibleReptileKeeping‬ are looking for reptile keepers to fill out a short survey to better advise our governments to make sensible laws for reptile care and the hobby.
If you can spare 5 minutes, please fill out the survey here:
survey.responsiblereptilekeeping.com/

8 months ago | [YT] | 3

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

We're saddened to hear of the passing of Animal Influencer and Conservationist ‪@dingodinkelman‬.
Dingo brought a powerful and addictive energy to every room he was in, and was an inspiration to many novice and expert keepers alike. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
We were lucky to meet and interview Dingo at last year's AnimalCon. You can see that interview below.

1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Today is National Wildlife Day! This is the Gulf Coast Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina major), a United States native species that we work with here in our Turtle Nirvana Greenhouse. You can find them in swamps and marshes along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida. These are the largest species of Box Turtle and are also noted to be one of the most aquatic species out of the Terrapina carolina complex, spending the majority of their life in shallow bodies of water.

1 year ago | [YT] | 16

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Episode 4 of our Power of the Sun series is now live!
This one covers the Sun's Heat, AKA Infrared, and how it's beneficial to reptiles.
Make sure to check out the Power of the Sun Playlist for all available episodes.

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Ep.3 of our Power of the Sun series is out now.
Every wondered what Reptiles see? Check out the video to learn more!

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Check out our NEW Power of the Sun Series, a quick deep dive into the elements of the Sun and why they're important to recreate in your pet reptile's habitat. Our latest episode takes a look at Ultraviolet B (UVB).

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Part 2 of our Enclosure Build-Off with ‪@SnakeDiscovery‬ is now live! See what our Sales Team put together! Which tank is YOUR favorite? Make sure to vote in the community poll to pick the winner!

1 year ago | [YT] | 2