Albinos with UV?

[Kevin McRae]

Okay I was watching "The Pet Guys", they said that you can't use UV light for any albino reptile becasue it could hurt there skin.

Is this true?

[Rebecca]

I highly doubt it. If the species needs uv it's to digest it's food and produce vit D. So the color of its skin should not matter. You just might have to be carefull of not getting too much sun. If I'm wrong someone will correct me.

[Scales Zoo]

I didn't see that episode, but some of our albino snakes do not seem to like bright light of any kind.

What kind of albino reptile are you concerned about?

Ryan

[Slannesh]

Since being Albino is a lack of Melanin pigment many albinos are more sensitive to UV light than 'normal' animals of the same species. I know this is true of Leopard Geckos, as my Albino girl really doesn't much care for brightish light that doesn't bother any of my other geckos at all.

Melanin is what gives people a tan when it's sunny out. Basically it's a UV defense mechanism so yes, it's true that UV may not be good for an albino in excessive doses.

That being said, so long as they have sufficent hides and what not to be comfortable I really doubt it would be a problem. UVB is essential to the health of many diurnal species.

[Kevin McRae]

I have a albino corn and my bro has a albino king...............snakes don't need UV any ways but you know.

[BWSmith]

Basically, an albino is a genetic defect. It completely lacks melanin which is more important than many realize. So yes, UVB is VERY bad for albinos (animals and humans). This makes it particularly difficult most lizard species. In my humble opinion, those species that require UVB should never have albinos intentionally produced because you are producing an animal that is dependant on that which causes it pain and injury.

Of course, it is not only the UVB that I don't think should not be used for an albino. NO bright light source should be used, not for fear of effects to the skin, but rather the eyes. Since the snakes cannot talk, ask an albino human. You will never catch them outside during the day without sunglasses on because it is painful. So the best thing is to keep direct light off of them, such as a spot lamp or florescent blulb.

Albinos take a bit more care to keep them happy, healthy, and long lived.

[Kevin McRae]

Well, my corn is in a "shoebox" like container with no light, it gets heat becasue I heat my room and its underneath my lizards cage on a shelf.

I will have to tell my bro to take his flourescent light off.

[Nicki]

Great thread! That's some good info that I for one would never have known! Thanks for the info!
Nicki

[BWSmith]

Shoebox definately works. I have an albino showing up in a couple weeks so i pretty much had to set up a new cage with no light since all my cages have one or both light sources.

Of course, the only reason I am actually getting an albino is to diversify the bloodline a bit. And of course, they are great for mite detection :w

[Kevin McRae]

albinos look awesome especially ball pythons but they are too much $$$$.$$

[Nicki]

Oh, what about leucistic snakes? I'm not very knowledgeable about morphs and that kind of thing, but I'm wondering if the same applies to the completely white animals?

Just curious,
Nicki