Uva/uvb light for BRB?

Shauna0522 · 10-21-17, 11:03 AM

I was wondering if anybody could tell me if I should have a UVA/UVB light for my rainbow boa I had one person tell me that I should but everything I've read says they're super sensitive to light so I'm not sure if I should or not. I was planning on getting her some of zoo Med's reptocal calcium supplement to help with her bone development but I'm not sure what route to go. please help

dannybgoode · 10-21-17, 11:39 AM

I provide UV for all my snakes. The evidence is overwhelming that snakes benefit from it (without it being essential for survival).

Provide plenty of hiding opportunities and the right substrate and it is likely that it will cryptically bask at times.

Personally I would get an Arcadia light - what size enclosure are you using as that will determine the size and strength.

Tiny Boidae · 10-21-17, 11:41 AM

I'd generally recommend it so long as it's done correct. Now, supplements are not at all necessary or even beneficial so long as you're feeding whole prey. UVB has it's benefits, but isn't necessary or beneficial if not done correctly. I'd generally recommend a deep substrate layer and areas for the animal to go to that provide complete darkness so that the animal can assess it's own needs and if it wishes to escape the light, it can. A sort of photo regulation if you will.

For me, I use Zoo Med Reptisun 5.0 tubes for my snakes, although I'm purchasing some Arcadia brand bulbs for them. They generally don't shy away from the light, and in the case of my rat snake he's often seen basking under it. However, this is under the stipulation that they all have areas of total darkness to escape to.

Shauna0522 · 10-21-17, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

I provide UV for all my snakes. The evidence is overwhelming that snakes benefit from it (without it being essential for survival).

Provide plenty of hiding opportunities and the right substrate and it is likely that it will cryptically bask at times.

Personally I would get an Arcadia light - what size enclosure are you using as that will determine the size and strength.

I have a 30 gallon tall fish aquarium that I am using currently she has a 2" deep fluker's cypress mulch substrate but I am going to add a block of zoo med eco earth to that today as the cypress isn't helping keep the humidity up as it needs to be I am hoping to get the substrate at 4" deep. I really want to go bioactive but I'm not sure what else I need to do that. She has lots of hiding spots with a warm and cool hide plus logs to climb and lots of fake foliage to hide in. I have a uth heater that I am going to move to the back wall and I have a 100 watt ceramic infrared heat emitter
I use a black light at night when I want to look at her but other then that I don't have any other lights. I was using a red 150 watt light 24-7 that was recommended to me but she wasn't coming out to explore after I got it so I exchanged it for the heat emitter.

Shauna0522 · 10-21-17, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiny Boidae

I'd generally recommend it so long as it's done correct. Now, supplements are not at all necessary or even beneficial so long as you're feeding whole prey. UVB has it's benefits, but isn't necessary or beneficial if not done correctly. I'd generally recommend a deep substrate layer and areas for the animal to go to that provide complete darkness so that the animal can assess it's own needs and if it wishes to escape the light, it can. A sort of photo regulation if you will.

For me, I use Zoo Med Reptisun 5.0 tubes for my snakes, although I'm purchasing some Arcadia brand bulbs for them. They generally don't shy away from the light, and in the case of my rat snake he's often seen basking under it. However, this is under the stipulation that they all have areas of total darkness to escape to.

Ok thank you I won't worry about getting the supplements then.