Zoo Med NatureSun® - Manual (Page 10)

10 | Reptiles
In Closing
As our knowledge of the UVB and
lighting requirements of reptiles and amphibians
grows, so will our ability to provide for their
needs in captivity. When positioning UVB lamps
over terrariums, be sure to follow manufacturer
recommendations for appropriate lamp distances,
and observe the behavior patterns of your reptile
or amphibian. Take notice of unusual behaviors
that may indicate that the lamp is too close
or too far. Continual avoidance of the light for
species that commonly bask is a good indication
that the lamp is too close or too strong for that
particular application. On the other hand, if an
animal continually basks and exposes itself to
UVB, without occasionally retreating to perform
other natural behaviors, this may be an indication
that the lamp is too far or that a stronger UVB
lamp may be desirable. Care should be taken
to ensure that a UVB gradient is provided and
that the reptile or amphibian can retreat to a
shelter where no UVB is present. This will allow
them to photoregulate and adjust their exposure
to UVB, just as they do with heat through
thermoregulation.
The next time you set up a new habitat
for a reptile or amphibian, take some time to
research the natural history and behavior patterns
of that species. Not only will this information prove
to be interesting, it will also aid in helping you
make an educated choice on the proper lighting
requirements from a natural history perspective.
I would like to thank Dr. John C. Dowdy (Rapid Precision
Testing Laboratories), Dr. Gary Ferguson (Texas Christian
University) and Andy Quinn (Zoo Med Laboratories) for
reviewing this article and providing valuable comments. I
would also like to thank Gary Bagnall for inspiring
my interest in herps at an early age.
Shane Bagnall
studied herpetology at San Diego State
University, where he received his degree in biology with
an emphasis in zoology. Following his time at SDSU, he
studied machining and manufacturing, which led him
to the prestigious Salk Institute, where he designed
and built custom scientifi c instruments. Shane is now a
member of Zoo Med’s research and development team,
and he spends much of his free time studying the local
herpetofauna of California’s central coast. Visit Zoo Med
at zoomed.com.
10 | Reptiles
Acierno, M.J, M.A. Mitchell, T.T.
Zachariah, M.K. Roundtree, M.S.
Kirchgessner and D. Sanchez-
Migallon Guzman. 2008. “Effects
of ultraviolet radiation on
plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3
concentrations in corn snakes
(Elaphe guttata).” American
Journal of Veterinary Research,
69(2):294-297.
Brattstrom, B.H. 1952. “Diurnal
Activities of a Nocturnal Animal.”
Herpetologica, 8(3):61-63.
Carman, E.N., G.W. Ferguson, W.H.
Gehrmann, T.C. Chen and M.F.
Holick. 2000. “Photobiosynthetic
Opportunity and Ability for UV-B
Generated Vitamin D Synthesis
in Free-Living House Geckos
(Hemidactylus Turcicus) and
Texas Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus
Olivaceous).” Copeia, 2000(1):245-
250.
Cowles, R.M. and C.M. Bogert.
1944. “A preliminary study of the
thermal requirements of desert
reptiles.” Bulletin of the American
Museum of Natural History,
86:261-296.
Jenison, G. and J. Nolte. 1980. “An
ultraviolet-sensitive mechanism
in the reptilian parietal eye.” Brain
Research, 194:506-510.
References
To read about the tools used
for measuring UV lamps, visit
ReptileChannel.com/MeasureUV .
Learn About
UV Lamp Measurement Tools