UV light and leopard geckos

Re: UV light and leopard geckos

Marie Kubiak — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 19:28:37 GMT

It is basically accepted as true. Most snakes cope perfectly without UVB (likely as most common pet species have evolved as ground dwellers living with poor UVB exposure and gaining Vitamin D from a carnivorous diet high in the available form). There is some evidence now that colubrids can form Vitamin D in response to UVB exposure so there may still be a benefit to providing it but provision of UVB can cause issues if the snake can get close to/parallel to the light as retinal damage/photokeratitis can result so most keepers opt to not use UVB lighting as so far there is no proven benefit.

Most lizards and chelonia do require UVB - but exact levels (and potentially wavelengths) are poorly understood and a few, mainly nocturnal gecko species, appear to cope fine without but who knows whether subclinical problems and behavioural alterations are actually rife in these. Broad guesses involve providing UVB for approximating duration and intensity of the species in the wild situation while offering recluse areas similar to shaded burrows/covering vegetation etc as would be available. Knowing natural behaviour is also crucial; e.g. beardies in the wild frequently seek out near vertical south-facing surfaces for morning basking so a horizontal captive set-up may not provide optimal conditions even if UVB lighting output itself is perfect. Each species needs to be considered independently based on natural conditions so some familiarity with each species' wild environment is essential.

Marie

Re: UV light and leopard geckos

Robin Grimmer — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 18:22:14 GMT

I seem to remember hearing that lizards need UV light, but snakes don't. Is this an over simplification or is it true?

Re: UV light and leopard geckos

Marie Kubiak — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 18:04:10 GMT

I agree - they have a Vitamin D requirement and although they require lower UVB intensity/exposure duration than diurnal baskers it is still beneficial. Both UVA and UVB have other roles in behaviour and circadian rhythms, and UVB catalysed Vitamin D synthesis is reversible and so overdose isn't an issue so theoretically it is better than oral supplementation, though many keepers maintain them long-term without issues on appropriate oral supplementation alone. Anecdotally mine bred better when given UVB lighting and other breeders have seen similar effects.

Marie

Re: UV light and leopard geckos

Helen Wallace — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:22:06 GMT

Thanks Catherine. That's really helpful.

Re: UV light and leopard geckos

CatherineThomas — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:19:15 GMT

I think they do. A lot of people say they don't because they are crepuscular (only out at dusk and dawn) and so in the wild wouldn't be exposed to much sunlight. But they have such thin skin which means that they absorb the UV light much more readily than the thicker skinned reptiles. So although they are only in the sunlight for short periods I think they do absorb significant amounts in that time. Therefore I always recommend it.