Reptile Information

Ultraviolet (UV) light has gotten a lot of bad press lately - it turns out it can cause wrinkles, eye damage and skin cancer in humans. Exactly the oposite is true of reptiles. Reptiles require UV light to convert vitamin D to a form called D3. This D3 is used to help the reptile absorb calcium. The exactly biological and chemical mechanics behind it is way beyond me, and I won't even try to explain it. The bottom line is that without sufficient UV light, or D3 supplements, your pet will not be able to properly process calcium. The results? Limited growth, bone disease and possibly an early demise.

Ultraviolet light comes in two basic varieties - short and long waves. The short (higher energy waves) are the ones your pet needs, known as UVB. Unfortunately, regular glass has an effect on these waves - they lose energy and are passed through as long waves. This is the effect that makes green houses so efficient - the short waves get turned to long as they pass through, and then can't leave again. For your pet, this is disastrous. If your UV light is behind glass, your pet will most likely not be receiving a proper dose of short wave ultraviolet light.

I had such an experience with an iguana. Despite having a broad spectrum lamp over the terrarium, my iguana developped metabolic bone disease. It turned out that the thin glass on top of the terrarium was blocking so much of the UV light that he just couldn't convert the vitamin D and absorb calcium. The solution? I changed the terrarium cover to a wire mesh.

Your vet or pet store will be able to advise you on the best type of lamp to use, and any vitamin supplements that will be appropriate for your pet.