UV Light???

[W.T.BUY]

Hi all i was just wondering last night if it is essential for lizards to have U.V.A/U.V.B. After all the lizards receive vitamins from dusting. for bone problems. And at sum of the breeders houses ive be too they recon they don't need the U.V light.

All comments welcome

[grimbeny]

I think it completly depends on the species. But UV is probably a good idea anyway it helps animals produce vitamin D which is required for strong bone development

[MrBredli]

Dragons must have a source of UVB i.e. Mercury Vapour Globe. Skinks and monitors don't need UV in my opinion. Some geckos do need UV, not too sure which ones though. Just my opinion of course.

[W.T.BUY]

Geckos??? aunt they nocturnal. And don't monitors sit in the sun all day in the wild

[kev]

All Reptiles need access to UV-A and UV-B, to be able to digest calcium, from anything
they eat with bone in it, and the UV helps them to change colour, and their behavior, plus
it make them more active as well.
lf you want to know more, l would contact your local VET, or speak to one of the Reptile
keepers at your local Zoo, and they will be able to give you good advice that you need.

[MrBredli]

Originally Posted by W.T.BUY

Geckos??? aunt they nocturnal. And don't monitors sit in the sun all day in the wild

Geckodan can tell you more about geckos/uv. Some species need it for eggshell production. Some geckos can be found basking during the day.

Most, if not all, species of monitors have been bred successfully indoors without supplemental UV. Whilst i would agree that virtually all reptiles would benefit from some exposure to UV, most do not need it to survive, excluding dragons of course.

[W.T.BUY]

ok thank u

[JasonL]

Originally Posted by MrBredli

Geckodan can tell you more about geckos/uv. Some species need it for eggshell production. Some geckos can be found basking during the day.

Most, if not all, species of monitors have been bred successfully indoors without supplemental UV. Whilst i would agree that virtually all reptiles would benefit from some exposure to UV, most do not need it to survive, excluding dragons of course.

It is possible to raise dragons without uv.

[kev]

Hi jasonL,
No all dragons and monitor's, except for those found deep
in the rain forest, where their covered by tall trees that block
out alot of the UV from the sun.
should have access to strong UV-A and UV-B fluorescent
tubes, such as the NECT10 blacklight UV tube.

[JasonL]

Ive been keeping large numbers of dragons (4sp.), geckoes (6sp), frogs (3sp), turtles (1sp), monitors (1sp) and skinks (5sp) all without uv, indoors for many years and yet to have a problem from lack of uv. all I'm saying is it is certainly possible to raise them without it, not that I would recomend newbies to do so though.

[W.T.BUY]

so its fine to raise hatchings/Juveniles without U.V

[hugsta]

Most of your dragons and monitors can be raised and bred without UV. Some don't make it and require UV in the early stages of development. If you have been lucky enough to raise a lizard without UV, it will be as gets older that you will start to see the effects.

Metabolic Bone disease is a serious problem and quite a common one for dragons/monitors that don't get UV. Monitors have been raised without UV, but I have also seen the effects of not supplying it to them and deformed hatchies due to lack of calcium.

I don't know why people risk the health of their animals for an hour in the sun or a $50 UV light. Doesn't seem much to pay when one hatchie is worth at least that. JMO

Cheers
Daz

[hornet]

you will need it for hatchling or juvies as they are growing and without it could get deformitys or bone problems