I personally think some species do not require UV,,,but can benefit greatly when exposed to it. I have no scientific evidence to back this up,,,but I too have had health issues with my Leopard Geckos and or snakes and have success with using UV while they were sick. DId the lighting make the difference ??? I have no idea,,,did it hurt ??? I highly doubt it. Just my opinion.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

Whether or not the UVB is helpful for nocturnal species and snakes is still being debated. However I sincerely doubt that the small amount of UVB that the available bulbs put out would be harmful as long as the animal has a place to go and retreat from the light. The level of UVB put out by the sun is much stronger and even basicly nocturnal animals could be exposed to it at times.
I have yet to hear of any "vampire" reptiles that burst into flame at the touch of sunlight.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

*****snorf**** thanks for making me choke on my coffee Merlin,,,,,too funny

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

I want a vampire reptile!!! When you hear of them please let me know. lol

Ive tried to tell people the same thing nicole about using it for Leopard Geckos, or other geckos for that matter. They say no need, but what is an extra bit of help hurt them?

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I am considered an "advanced" keeper of reptiles. I have been in the hobby now for over 2 decades. lol (I think that lets me qualify for the advanced status anyways.)

It is my belief that anyone who dictates nocturnal reptiles don't require UV have not spoken or read about the positive effects of UV.

Most nocturnal animals are out at dusk and dawn. They are subjected to low level UV exposure. Using a mega ray for a nocturnal species would be over kill, and could have a negative effect on the reptile as the output is so high. However, reptisun tubes, placed at 15 inches or higher emit extremely low levels of UV. These levels would be similar to what the animal would encounter in the wild. They could even be lower for all I know.

So long as the animal is capable of retreating from the the light, there is nothing wrong with supplying it. In fact, supplying it and allowing them to decide if they need it or not is nothing more than mimicking nature. These "pros" should stop and think about that for a little while.

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.:: Rich ::.

+ Spread The Info

I have learned that age does not necassarily make you an "advanced" herp keeper, lol. Sometimes I find that it hinders the ability to change when new studies and info has come out.

I continue doing what I do with my snakes because it works for them. I have treated MANY a frogs with very low uv and it also helps to clear it up faster, in my opinion. I would never use a Mega Ray on any nocturnal reptile, lol.

I also find that sometimes it is easier not to argue with these people as you get nowhere.

So my philosophy is, until I have proof that this actually causes damage to my snakes and frogs, I will continue doing what seems to work for them.

The one thing that I have noted when using uv on snakes, is that they become MUCH more aggressive and are quick to try and take your face off, lol. However in my circumstances, I really do not know their personalities to begin with they come in here,, so who is to say they were not aggressive to begin with and just heating them to proper temps brought out their beautiful personalities, lol.
But then again are they like that naturally in the wild, so is it just bringing out things that are natural to them.......

things that make you go HMMMMMMMMMM.................

OK this is my 2 cents. Nocturnal animals are exposed to small doses of uvb light, so I wouldn't say it would hurt them.

Then again, being exposed to to much D3 can hurt something but we're using florescent tubes, not the sun.

I wouldn't say definitely have one but I do have one for Skittles, I just don't have it on all that much. And I would think that something that was suffering from a calcium deficiency would definitely benifit from it because it would help absorb it better. As for the it's afraid of light thing, yeah, I just wouldn't have it on the entire day. If you find it always has it's eyes closed, turn it on for less. And make sure it has a especially dark place to hide if it wants. Also, just to let you know a friend found some awesome liquid calcium so you might want to check that out to spike the water with. I think she got it at a pharmacy.

Lets not get too carried away with the calcium. Too much is not a good thing either. Having the water heavy with calcium is forcing the animal to intake calcium or dehydrate.
I would stick with the regular tried and true regimine of placing a little container of calcium powder in the cage so the gecko can get it as it needs.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

He's got his calcium dish and tromps through it alot, i'm not sure if he eats it or not, but he wears alot of it.

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“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

~Lacey~

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