Bredli's & UVB

[Parko]

I've heard talk of exposing Bredli to increased UVB helping to promote stronger colours, what are your thoughts? At the moment I merely take my Bredli out for some sun for 20 mins or so a couple times a week, but would I get better results by using UVB lights on the enclosure? Or is the colour my juvenile will obtain predetermined by genetics?
Thanks, Matt.

[basketcase]

purely genetics

[africancichlidau]

There is talk of it and I don't know what to believe, BUT, my pair is kept with one in an enclosure with UV tube and the other without, both were the same colour when this was begun about 12 months ago and now the colour is far better on the snake WITH UV. Make up your own mind on that bit of info

[NoOne]

Theres no doubt that UVB/UVA lighting is a benefit in some way to all animals, but as far as making colors brighter in pythons, it's not gonna make much difference.
It will bring out colours in dragons especially with MVB bulbs.

I agree 99.9% of it is genetics.

[zoe]

like phil said, our vet did an experiment with his bredlis (same clutch) giving some uv lights in their enclosures and others none....the ones with the uv definitely had better colours...i would have thought it was genetics too but im definitely gonna put a UV light in with my diamond from now on!

[Jonny]

I guess it could be like humans. People who stay inside all day eg computer programmers go a pale white and lose skin colour. All those ladies who sun bake down at bondi have a nice golden tan (or orange if they used spay on).

In fact Im about to head down to the beach and investigate this theory further :wink:

cheers

Jonny

[Franco]

I definitely agree with you Afric... I recently bought a new tube for my Diamonds as I noticed that the intensity of their yellow was beginning to fade a little. I have had the new tube in for a week now and the vibrancy has returned. I also think that feed has something to do with pigmentation as well i.e. chicks compared to rats, after all - you are what you eat!

Cheers,

Franco

[stockeh]

i wouldnt be without a UV lamp for all of my reps now after a similar experiment... the ones with the UV were brighter in colour, had a better appetite and seemed to be more active.

Every enclosure i have now has a UV tube in it... the way i see it is they cant over dose on UV so what is the harm in providing it to them, better to have it then not and when they find in the future that it is benificial, then you will have been doing the right thing all along.

[dhanson]

Interesting, I am ordering a new enclosure for my Bredl in a couple of weeks, I wasnt going to have UV installed but now I think I might reconsider.

[NCHERPS]

It has been proven that high intensisity of UV for prolonged periods has on occasion damaged retina's of some snakes.

It is also worth noting that unless reptiles can get 12" or closer from the artificial UV source it isn't going to be worth using, especially important for lizards,
Also tubes need replacing regularly, every 6 mth's is recommended.

I am not entirely convinced that UV is of any benefit to snakes, but have found it true to say that the 'Bredli' I have seen that have had regular exposure have been very bright colourful animals.
Maybe it's like fish, UV just enhances there colours, what do you think Afro?

[NoOne]

I would use UV for diamonds but thats it, you have to remember that pythons being largely nocturnal would hide during the day, not being exposed to any UV and as already stated UV tubes only emit uv rays 30cms from the tube, so unless your snake is constatly sitting close to it nothing will happen

[Parko]

I think I'll give the UV a go, from the sounds of it some people have noticed a difference. I won't use it for my other snakes but I have been repeatedly hearing of the benefits of UVB on Bredli in particular. Seems like Bredli and perhaps diamonds may be in a different boat to other pythons in this regard. One way to find out!

I have also heard of a substitute for lights, some kind of liquid you can rub directly onto the snakes skin, called moon-glo or moon drops or something like that, anyone heard of it? I was told about it by a fellow running a reptile display at the Oberon easter show recently.

[obee]

I don't use UV on my jungles but i have tested sunning over not sunning.jungles are notorious for losing colour after 3 years.sunning 10yr old animals last year definately improved colour even on these old no longer yellow animals.

OBEE

[Robert]

IMO i think it does help.The best bredli's i have seen have been kept outdoors for a long period of time.I ahve installed a UV bulb into my bredli cage and i think you will notice a difference.
Give it go just make sure you have a hide so they can escape the rays.

[basketcase]

by 'better' colours in bredl's do u mean redder or lighter or... purple ???