Dangerous pet products that should never be used for pets

[jarich]

While its true that ball pythons are nocturnal, they are not exclusively so. In the wild you will still see balls coming out sometimes to bask. Since the temperatures at which they digest do not make this absolutely necessary, there seems to be something to the fact that this might be related to the light instead. Reptiles do seem to instinctively bask more when their blood Vit D metabolite levels are low, so it is very likely that this could be the case for such exposed basking in the wild. By not having a UV light, you are again taking away an option that they might need. Not saying they absolutely need it, but rather that by not having it you are reducing the options open to them. I have read enough articles about animals that supposedly didnt need UVB and the improvements in health that is not visible as a result to have now changed all my enclosures to having a UVB light. Just because you cant see it, doesnt mean it isnt having an effect. Another thing to consider is that rodents are not the most amazing source of Vit D either...

As for hurting its eyes, that shouldnt be a problem. As long as it has hides to escape the light when it wants, and as long as the light is placed correctly, then there is no need to worry about eye issues. Those problems happen when the light is too close, or when it is placed on the side of the enclosure instead of on top. Animals are adapted to dealing with the sun, so a light placed in the same position is not going to be a problem.

I agree with Wayne though that if your ball is moving all the time, its a possible indicator that it is not feeling secure enough. They usually do this when you move them to a new home, or dont have enough hides, or its too warm, etc. Even youngsters should settle down for most of the day.

[ErikBush97]

Originally Posted by jarich

While its true that ball pythons are nocturnal, they are not exclusively so. In the wild you will still see balls coming out sometimes to bask. Since the temperatures at which they digest do not make this absolutely necessary, there seems to be something to the fact that this might be related to the light instead. Reptiles do seem to instinctively bask more when their blood Vit D metabolite levels are low, so it is very likely that this could be the case for such exposed basking in the wild. By not having a UV light, you are again taking away an option that they might need. Not saying they absolutely need it, but rather that by not having it you are reducing the options open to them. I have read enough articles about animals that supposedly didnt need UVB and the improvements in health that is not visible as a result to have now changed all my enclosures to having a UVB light. Just because you cant see it, doesnt mean it isnt having an effect. Another thing to consider is that rodents are not the most amazing source of Vit D either...

As for hurting its eyes, that shouldnt be a problem. As long as it has hides to escape the light when it wants, and as long as the light is placed correctly, then there is no need to worry about eye issues. Those problems happen when the light is too close, or when it is placed on the side of the enclosure instead of on top. Animals are adapted to dealing with the sun, so a light placed in the same position is not going to be a problem.

I agree with Wayne though that if your ball is moving all the time, its a possible indicator that it is not feeling secure enough. They usually do this when you move them to a new home, or dont have enough hides, or its too warm, etc. Even youngsters should settle down for most of the day.

Well, I did switch enclosures recently but he's got two hides, one side is 85-90 degrees, the other is about 70-75 degrees. So I don't think it's that.