Terrarium Lights

[reptiletalk]

Hello,

I am thinking of adding a type of light in order to create a nice view in the night. I know about the red light that doesnt affect the snakes. Any other alternative?

[reptiledude987]

I like the LED light strips that are available on amazon. theyre inexpensive bright and have colour settings so you can have them white thru the day then use the super handy remote to change to red or whatever other colour you like for night.

[jarich]

Unfortunately red does effect them. It is a common fallacy that they do not see the red spectrum, or other colours for that matter. Some snakes actually seem to see into the UVA spectrum, which would make them able to see better than humans ;) They do make very low level LED 'moonlight' lights, which are quite dim but mimic something closer to natural light levels.

[reptiletalk]

Unfortunately red does effect them. It is a common fallacy that they do not see the red spectrum, or other colours for that matter. Some snakes actually seem to see into the UVA spectrum, which would make them able to see better than humans ;) They do make very low level LED 'moonlight' lights, which are quite dim but mimic something closer to natural light levels.

I will check it out. Thanks for the info on red lights. I wasn't aware of this.

[prairiepanda]

Unfortunately red does effect them. It is a common fallacy that they do not see the red spectrum, or other colours for that matter. Some snakes actually seem to see into the UVA spectrum, which would make them able to see better than humans ;) They do make very low level LED 'moonlight' lights, which are quite dim but mimic something closer to natural light levels.

I actually used to have a cal king who needed to be shown where her food was or else she wouldn't find it and would go back to hiding after a while, and I used a red LED flashlight shining on the mouse to draw her attention.

Red light is low-visibility for some animals, but snakes are not one of those animals! Red lights are particularly well-suited to viewing nocturnal arthropods, whose visible spectrum is shifted towards the blue end, so that they can see ultraviolet wavelengths. I'm not sure if any reptiles are like this though. Of course, for carnivorous reptiles, it makes sense to be sensitive to the red end of the spectrum and infrared wavelengths, as many of them hunt warm prey!

[reptiletalk]

So in few words, if i want to put a some sort of light that doesn't affect the snakes i am out of options :(

[reptiledude987]

Well with the light strips i use the remote also has a dimmer option....

[prairiepanda]

So in few words, if i want to put a some sort of light that doesn't affect the snakes i am out of options :(

Just get something either dimmable or not super bright to begin with. Blue or "cool" white would be the least disturbing. If it's on a dimmer, you can ramp up the brightness slowly so as not to surprise the snake. If your eyes are adjusted to a dark room, you won't need much brightness to get a clear view of what's going on anyway ;)

[reptiletalk]

ok guys. Thanks for your suggestions.

[jarich]

Here's one example of what you can use.

Blue Moonlight LED Striplight : Arcadia Reptile (http://arcadia-reptile.com/blue-moonlight-led-striplight/)

[Shann]

Here's one example of what you can use.

Blue Moonlight LED Striplight : Arcadia Reptile (http://arcadia-reptile.com/blue-moonlight-led-striplight/)

This is actually what I put into my proline. It looks bright but it's pretty dim. Even so, I use it as a transitional light for just a couple hours after turning off the room lights or closing the blinds. I don't run it all night. She usually comes out though and I can watch her being active before going to bed.http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz295/buglersholiday/C45BF220-5B43-406C-94D3-95A5239CBD95_zps0dzyjii3.jpg

[jarich]

Ya, I think youre right, its not great to run all night. Fun to have on for awhile though as they do seem to come out and be active with it on still

[reptiletalk]

This is actually what I put into my proline. It looks bright but it's pretty dim. Even so, I use it as a transitional light for just a couple hours after turning off the room lights or closing the blinds. I don't run it all night. She usually comes out though and I can watch her being active before going to bed.



That's exactly what i am trying to achieve. Thanks a lot for your input.