Vitamin D3 in lighting

[Paleosuchus]

I have recently read and asked a few exotic vets about full spectrum lighting for iguanas. The material i read aswell as the vets where telling me that it would take a few lights to do anything for producing vitamin D3. Simply they do not need it, any bulb will work for heat purposes, in captivity they can get D3 simply from there diet. The only thing the full spectrum lighting does is cost money. I was wandering if this is true. I have found it to be true from asking 2 local iguana shelters. Was wandering what you all thought and if this actually is correct?

[rwg]

I'm no expert, but what I've read says that since Iguanas are vegetarians, they are not evolved to be efficient at absorbing D3 from their diets since D3 comes primarily from animal based diets. In other words you can suplement all the D3 you want, but the iguana probably just passes most of it. The logic seems sound.

After spending several minutes on google, I found a LOT of pages claiming they need UV, and not one page exposing this as a myth. If it is a myth, it's a rather well propagated and unrefuted one. I'd like to see the material you've read. Any references?

rg

[Paleosuchus]

Well yes they do pass most of it, but you can just take D3 powder supplements and sprinkle over food, ( these are the words of the vets). I like this idea better, UV lights a hell of expensive. This is the page, read the paragraphhttp://my.pclink.com/~dkelley/igcare.htm#lig

[Rhonda]

My understanding of the coalition between UV lighting and vitamine D3 is that with out the special lighting(which is suppose to simulate natural sunlight)iguanas, bearded dragons and uromastyx etc. cann't absorb the vitamine D3 supplement. I spare no expense when it comes to my uromastyx. All of them have the UV lights in there enclosures and they are all healthy. They even reproduced this year! Why risk the health of the animal to save a few bucks? If you're concerned about the cost but you want a reptile pet why not consider a nocturnal reptile that doesn't require a lot of fancy equipment such as a leopard or crested gecko?

[ydnic]

does full spectrum lights give enough d3 for an iguana?

I need to know

[Linds]

Fluorescent tubes and the like are worthless IMHO. As rwg mentioned, they cannot survive successfully soley on dietary d3, although they should still receive small amounts. It isn't that they cannot absorb it, but rather that they weren't designed to do so effectively, and they can end up experiencing liver failure and improper development as a result of too much. I never used UV bulbs with my iguana, but I did house her outside during the summer months, which I attribute to her 20 year life. If you have the opportunity to do this, it is the best thing you can do. If not, I would try using the mercury vapour bulbs. They are the only light I would invest in.