Please, argue! You make some good points. I still think it depends on the reptile. Chuckwallas are true sun-gazers (heliotherms) and are often basking on rocks in direct sun at temps above 38 C. Even at 11:00 or noon. Tests have shown less D3 in blood levels in chucks that are in captivity out of direct sun. This increases with Mercury-vapor UVB lighting. If you create a vivarium with enough shelter from the lamp, they will find shelter. The lights are pretty expensive, but so are most of the better lights. I would not use them with Coleonyx, Anguids, Xantusids.etc....
I'm still wondering about Phelsuma. Has anyone tried these on Phelsuma? Hoe sensitive are their eyes to direct sun? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Magnus Myklatun" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002 3:53 PM Subject: Re: [Gecko] UVB lighting > > Hi > > >For UVB lighting, they are the next best thing to the sun. > > Now I hate to argue, but I don't agree with the argument that this is such a > good thing. It's true that these lamps do create more UV than others, but > reptiles in the wild are not exposed to the UV from the sun constantly. They > spend time in and out of the shade, and some diurnal reptiles spend the > hottest part of the day (which is when the UV output is the greatest) hidden > away from the sun. > Secondly, usually the figures that are used to compare UV output from a lamp > to the sun is numbers taken at noon when the UV radiation from the sun would > be the greatest. It's not noon all day, so the UV numbers from the sun can > be misleading. The effects of increased UV radiation without the shade that > reptiles can escape to in the wild, may include the same problems as > excessive UV exposure in humans. > These UV bulbs are probably very effective in large, zoo-type exhibits, but > in my oppinion, to strong for the average reptile enclosure. > > >chuckwallas which have had a remarkable response to these bulbs. They >had > >an increased appetite and started breeding like crazy. The 5% UVB > > >fluorescents did not even compare to these. > > This sounds more like a benefit from added UVA, not UVB... > > >One should avoid eye contact with these bulbs. This can be done > >by a proper set up. > > But they are ok for a reptile's eyes??? > > > Magnus > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. > > ########################################################################### > THE GLOBAL GECKO ASSOCIATION LISTSERV > WebSite: www.gekkota.com Archive: [EMAIL PROTECTED]/ > The GGA takes no responsibility for the contents of these postings. > ########################################################################### >
