Superb paper on UV-B requirements of reptiles

[dannybgoode]

I've been hitting the books recently!

This paper explains the UV-B requirements of various reptiles and the importance of the correct amount of UV-B and also examines it's relevance to nocturnal reptiles.

Has got me thinking about adding it to make boa and carpet vivs

How much UVB does my reptile need? The UV-Tool, a guide to the selection of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians in captivity. | Baines | Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research (http://www.jzar.org/jzar/article/view/150/89)

You then need to download the pdf. Don't worry-it's quite safe!

Note it is the author of this paper (Fran Baines) who supplied the links to the articles on IR-A.

[dannybgoode]

In fact the evidence presented by Fran and others has convinced me that whilst UV-B is not absolutely essential for nocturnal reptiles it is highly beneficial and I will be installing it in all my vivs.

This is what I love about the hobby. I was absolutely of the opinion that it wasn't of benefit but every day I learn something new that improves my knowledge and understanding.

Of course for dinural species I think the requirement is well known...

[sattva]

Wow that was a long article! Good! but long...

[pet_snake_78]

Excellent article, indeed!

[sattva]

Ok guys... Which UV-B bulbs are we thinking here... I'm I right in thinking that all Fluorescent Bulbs do not admit UV-B lighting?

[dannybgoode]

Ok guys... Which UV-B bulbs are we thinking here... I'm I right in thinking that all Fluorescent Bulbs do not admit UV-B lighting?

You get specific tubes and they have different specs for how much uv they kick out. I don't know the brands over there but Arcadia are my go to brand here.

Yesterday however the shop I went to stocked Exo Terra Repti Glo so bought a 15W 5% T8 for Jerry and a 20W 10% T8 for Rachel.

[dannybgoode]

Oh and I can link to more papers on the subject.

I think it's important to note that snakes do not *need* uv but it is undoubtedly highly beneficial to them hence why I'll be incorporating it in all my set ups from now on.

I bought the kit for Auntie Rachel and Jerry yesterday and will be installing it today and will report back on any behavioural changes I notice.

[chairman]

The papers that you've posted recently have been about the wavelengths of light right outside our vision. The visible light spectrum is commonly presented as ROYGBIV, R standing for red and V for violet. Infrared is just outside red, ultraviolet is just outside violet.

Fluorescent light bulbs would not create visible light if they didn't have special coatings on the inside of their glass. Most of the energy they emit is on the UV side of light, including UVA, UVB, and the harmful UVC. Light manufacturers strive to convert as much of that invisible light to visible light as possible because people buy the bulbs to, you know, provide light that we can see by. However, UV leaks out of all the bulbs. They do a pretty good job blocking UVC because they don't want to get sued for selling bulbs that cause harm. There are some resources out there of people who own UV meters and report on how much UV is emitted by "normal" fluorescent lights.

If you are looking to provide low level UVB for a snake then you could probably just provide a 'cool' (blue) colored fluorescent. If your animal truly requires UVB, like chameleons, then buy the custom bulbs with guaranteed levels of UVB.

It is generally assumed that snakes, as predators, get all the benefits of UV exposure from the trace minerals that they absorb through their food chain (prey). I'm not sure that anyone has proven that snakes' skin can use UVB to produce anything (like vitamin D). It is possible that basking snakes only bask to absorb heat via infrared or from objects under them that have absorbed energy themselves.

I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from providing UVB, it is unlikely to be harmful. It may be beneficial.

I would like to note that I appreciate research like this. I'd seen it before because I keep tortoises but it is good that it made it here.

[dannybgoode]

@chairman - interesting thoughts and as I say this is am area new to me as I have always been of the opinion that snakes do not need true uv.


There are further papers on the subject however which suggest even for snakes true uvb is beneficial to snakes also.

More than happy to post the links. I'm installing mine tonight so will at least be able to observe any behavioural changes. I unfortunately do not have a science lab to go much beyond that!

[dannybgoode]

This site is the best place to start on the subject. This pretty much distills the papers into actual English.

UV Guide UK - Ultraviolet Light for Reptiles - UVB reptile lighting on test (http://www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm)

Plenty of light reading there (pun entirely intentional)!

[chairman]

There are studies out there in which the researchers performed tests to determine how much vitamin D was generated in reptiles in various conditions. I want to say that they measured the amount of D in blood samples and compared natural sunlight, artificial lighting, and dietary supplements. I don't recall if snakes were tested, I want to say that it was tortoises or varanids. If I find them I'll post a link. Unfortunately, I think that the results were that more research was necessary to draw any conclusions but natural sunlight looked to have an advantage (imagine that...).

[sattva]

Well this seems like the best deal I could find so, I thought I ask you guys what do you think? And what is everybody else buying?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CEXX3MC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2A02U6YIW6LGE