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UVB Lighting is a Requirement for Your Lizards
By The Lizard Lounge
Lizards need heat to survive, since they are cold blooded. The normal heat source for most lizard habitats are incandescent lighting, or ceramic heat emitters. You can use any incandescent bulb during the day. Any bulb you find in your house can be used, you just need to pay attention to the wattage of the bulb. Play around with different bulbs (with an empty habitat) until you get the temperature right. This type of lighting is sufficient for heat, but offers no type of vitamins. Incandescent bulbs do not give of any UVB rays, and very little UVA.
You may have heard the term 'full-spectrum' many times when reading about lizards. Full-spectrum refers to light that offers UVB, UVA, infrared and the visible light that illuminates the habitat. 'Broad-spectrum' is another term commonly used, referring to a light source that offers multiple rays. Be careful when you are buying a full-spectrum bulb. Many manufacturers use this term very loosely, and you may find your bulb does nothing for your lizard.
UVB lighting is essential for the healthy development, and long life of most lizards. There are a few exceptions however. Nocturnal lizards do not require UVB, as in nature, they are awake at night. Snakes, amphibians and some turtles also do not require UVB lighting. If your lizard is diurnal (awake during the day), it needs UVB lighting. UVB lighting aids the lizard in digesting and absorbing the proper and necessary vitamins needed to be healthy. UVB lighting does not give off heat, and needs to be used in conjunction with incandescent bulbs, ceramic heat emitters, or with heating pads (for some species only).
There is a vast difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum. Broad-spectrum bulbs are essentially incandescent bulbs that offer some of the other rays. These bulbs are completely ineffective in offering your lizards the needs rays. Many manufacturers market their products this way, attempting to trick the non-savvy lizard keeper into getting their inexpensive versions. You need full-spectrum lighting. Read the packaging of all lights when you are buying one. Make sure it lists the levels of UVB lighting the bulb gives off. Full-spectrum bulbs are normally fluorescent tubes, although not all fluorescent lights offer the full-spectrum light. You must be diligent in this matter, as a lizard living without UVB lighting for a period of type will develop metabolic bone disease.
You will see the levels of UVB light in a percentage. You must compare products when doing this. The package will give a percentage of the UV light emitted by the bulb, and a percentage of the UVB light emitted. The UVB is a percentage of the UV light, not the total. Take this into consideration when purchasing a bulb for your lizard. Take a look at these UVB lights for lizards.
About the Author
The Lizard Lounge provides information about caring for lizards. They feature articles, forums and care sheets for a wide variety of lizard species.
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