Blueys- Heat/UV

[Rocky]

I have heard that blueys need uv light and heat, but then other members tell me they don't.

The final test.

[JasonL]

They don't.

[wood_nymph]

yes they do need UV, well if you want them to grow porperly and not get sick

[JasonL]

need Uv that is, and of course they will need to be heated if you are keeping them in a cooler climate than they are used to, but if your keeping easterns in the NT you won't need to, so your question depends on what type of bluey you have and where you live ect.

[MrBredli]

I would have voted for heat and calcium/multivitamin supplements, but you forgot to put that option in.

[JasonL]

Dr Glen Shea, one of the worlds leading authorities on bluetongues says UV is not neccesary for them, I have raised them without it as have many people I know. The main problem is people give them crappy high protein / low calcium all meat diets and keep them in under heated enclosures.

[Tristis]

i dont think any reptile needs UV its all a myth

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by MrBredli

I would have voted for heat and calcium/multivitamin supplements, but you forgot to put that option in.

thats the please speciffy section

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Tristis

i dont think any reptile needs UV its all a myth

How do bone deformities in beardies occur then?

[Tristis]

not having proper heat and diet.

[Rosemary]

I dont use uv lights on any of my lizards....beardies, blue tongues, and shinglebacks, but they go out in the sun weekly!!!!!!!! All have thrived on this method for many years. I dont add vitamin supplements to their diets either, they seem to do fine without them. I feed lots of fresh veges, fruit and tinned cat food. Occassionally the blueys get snails (when I can find them, they are far and few between here) and a little lean mince. And of course crickets ,roaches, and meal worms (the odd grasshoper if I am quick enough to catch it)

[Rocky]

bump

[morgs202]

Metabolic bone disease in beardies has long been linked to a lack of UV, as well as crap diet. They need the UV to convert calcium to vitamin D

[CGSwans]

Ok, this is a hypothetical as I'm nowhere near having my dream house within the next few years, but for the sake of my curiosity I will ask.

My *dream* house is on acres (meaning space is not a concern) and is built according to passive solar design principles. Specifically, I want an isolated solar gain house plan with a large greenhouse along the north (sun-facing) face of the house. This would also allow me to have a warm temperate or even sub-tropical garden despite the likelihood that I will be living close to Canberra.

However for reasons of durability, weight and cost I want to use acrylic plexiglass rather than actual glass. Acrylic lets a moderate amount of UVB through - not nearly as much as direct sunlight, but still more than any UVB light fitting could produce.

On that basis, couldn't I put lizard cages in the greenhouse, and as long as I have open/wire tops facing the north, I wouldn't need to provide artificial UVB?

[Tristis]

MBD is from not having the right range of usable temps.
my beardys and turtles do fine with out it.