Carpets and U.V

[KrimenuL]

Ok, so I've heard alot of different things about the use/necessarity of UV with captive Carpet Pythons, and I want to know once and for all; What's The Deal?? Is it necessary to have UV lights in a Carpet's enclosure, so that they have daily access to it? Or is it enough just to take the snake out into the sun every now and then?

Thanks In Advance,
KrimenuL

[stockeh]

krimenul, this question will cause all sorts of debate i am sure, and the problem is i dont think anyone knows the true answer, and there is much speculation as to wether or not the UV lights you can buy generate enough output to be of any use anyway.

For my own piece of mind, i have a two foot batton UV lamp in all of my reptile enclosures, but further to this i try to take each of my reps out for at least half an hour of natural sun every couple of days.

When it comes down to it sunlight is what sustains all of life, and if they can duplicate that using UV lamps then more power to them, but my money is on the real thing, i only have the lights cause the reps come first so i dont wanna short change them and take any chances

Cheers
Matt

[Artie]

If it is not a Diamond Python, (even there no one is 100% sure, if they need it or not), I would not worry about it too much.
I have diamonds and use uvb, but that’s just in case.
But if you can take your snake out in the sun for half hour a few times a week, I’m sure that would benefit them more than any artificial lighting.
I do both.
Just my opinion.

[africancichlidau]

The problem with UV globes, at least the fluorescent types, is that they have very little radiation at a useful level, if the animal is within a few inches then yes they get some benefit but at more than a foot or so forget it. The MV globes have a very good penetration in comparison but are not suitable for use on a stat.
I maintain that, even on an overcast day, 10 minutes in the natural sunlight is worth more than a whole day under a fluorescent type UV globe.

[marc]

not only do reptiles sun themselves to warm up, but to dose up with UV and the vitemins that are attached, I believe that it is importent for all herp to recieve it, even geckos and frogs will sun themselves. I will say that for Juvs dragons and skinks the use of a Zoo med UV light at close distance have a positive reaction to their feeding and growth, Snake as Juvs I will take out to be dosed up by the sun, twice a week usually, but as adult never.

UV fluors can be exspensive and will only produce UV for 18 month

[stockeh]

hey hows this if you want to know if your UV lamps are effective you can buy a UV level detector from dick smiths for 15 dollars, dont know how good they are i just saw them in the catalogue from the mail

cheers
Matt

[marc]

not to sure, but on the package it tells you the distance you should have it from the herp and the life span, I am sure you could get a detector

[Robert]

I was forever changing my uv lights in the turtle tank,they seem to burn out quickly,the uv that is the light still works but uv dies.
I am a true believer of natural sun nothing beats it.
Especially if they are young nad need it to grow and become healthy.
My bigger guys don't get as much although my brisbane is outside fulltime and his colour is awesome heaps of yellow and cream and is still looking as though he is improving in colour each shed.
He would be around 3-3.5yrs old.

[luke]

i just take my coastal out every sun and mon for a bit of a tan. about a half hour each time he seems to like it and is as healthy as ever

[Adam]

From what I have heard (I have been wrong before) Diamonds are the ones that really nead uv lights not carpets. I don't keep uv lights in my carpets tanks only my diamonds. But hey the sun is the best light for all. Can anyone explain why Diamonds need it and not Carpets?? Very interesting don't you think, if Diamonds do and all Lizards do aswell as turtles then why not Carpet Pythons???

[snakehunter]

The theory is that diamonds are a cold weather python ie live in a cooler climate than most other aussie pythons, therefore they naturally need to bask in sunlight more often than a northern species would to maintain the preferred body temp (PBT), which leads to higher levels of UV exposure.

[bigguy]

Unlike Lizards, Turtles and Crocs which make VitD3 from UV light, Snakes do not produce their own VitD3. They obtain theirs from the food they eat.
Other the enhancing a few species colours slightly, the sun only warms snakes up.

Diamond Pythons however are found in a cooler climate then most Pythons. For this reason they have a black background colouration to absord heat easier. But something else is also gained by Diamonds from the sun's UV light. What exactly, we do not know. But what we do know is that if they are kept indoors without UV lighting and are kept at a constant temperature like other Python species then they start to waste away and die after about 5 years. This has been named around the world as Diamond Python Syndrome and has given the Diamond Python a bad name for keeping.

Carpet Pythons do not appear to have any problems being kept indoors. I have been keeping Carpets(Jungles, Coastals, Darwins and Bredls) indoors for over 15 years without any apparent problems. My snakes have never been in the sun or exposed to UV light, yet they are doing great and breed every year.

You can put UV lights in Python cages, but other then for Diamonds I think it is unnecessary and a waste of money. However, on the other hand, it wont hurt them either.

Regards
Bob Withey
Australian Reptile Displays

[Slateman]

This is black area in herp hobby. Nobody can give you 100% answer.

[earthmother]

Originally Posted by snakehunter

The theory is that diamonds are a cold weather python ie live in a cooler climate than most other aussie pythons, therefore they naturally need to bask in sunlight more often than a northern species would to maintain the preferred body temp (PBT), which leads to higher levels of UV exposure.

does this mean the inlands and more southerns need it? ive read alot about diamond syndrome. it seems to me that theyll live in a ceiling happily, but the fact is in the wild they all get natural light. Id rather an outdoor enclosure. a man up here has one for his diamonds and they are very nice healthy snakes, remember this is the area theyre found in naturally. I would do the same with a diamond.
Mudmum

[Adam]

I would love to keep my big snakes outside but I have heard to many horror stories of bastards stealing them.