Zoo Med NatureSun® - Manual (Page 6)

strictly herbivorous species, along with some
insectivorous and omnivorous species (and the
list is growing).
While some reptile species, such as the
bearded dragon, could likely not survive without
UVB-induced synthesis of vitamin D, others
seem to do fi ne with what they get from their
diet. Snakes are commonly kept by breeders in
utilitarian enclosures containing a water dish,
bedding, a hidebox and subterranean heat to
provide a thermal gradient. These enclosures
are often less than 6 inches tall, and the snakes
are not provided with any lighting except for the
ambient room lighting that may pass through
the walls of the enclosure. Does this mean that
snakes don’t benefi t from UVB? While this type
of enclosure may be similar to what the snakes
experience in a burrow, eventually they have
to come out, and when they do they are often
exposed to some level of UVB.
A Natural History Approach to Reptile and
Amphibian Lighting
Often, we base husbandry practices on
common sense and what has proven to work in
the past, and many keepers provide specialized
lighting only for species that need it to survive.
Success in keeping reptiles and amphibians is
often defi ned as being able to raise
animals in captivity that appear
healthy, and that hopefully
breed and produce healthy
offspring. Based on this
success, the conclusion is
drawn that if they can
grow and reproduce
without access
to UVB,
Without UVB, this bearded
dragon would be at risk of
developing metabolic bone
disease.
Success in keeping reptiles and amphibians is
often defi ned as being able to raise
animals in captivity that appear
healthy, and that hopefully
breed and produce healthy
offspring. Based on this
success, the conclusion is
drawn that if they can
grow and reproduce
without access
to UVB,
Without UVB, this bearded
dragon would be at risk of
developing metabolic bone
disease.
Courtesy Kirby Spencer / Zoo Med Laboratories
Self-ballasted mercury
vapor lamps provide UVB,
UVA, human-visible light
and heat from one source.
Courtesy Shane Bagnall
6 | Reptiles