Rob I completely understand where you are coming from, being from Detroit I know all about the climate problems. I also agree that natural sunlight is by far the best. I however agree with Chris on the point of the UV lighting.

I can personally acknowledge how my animals began showing measured improvements in coloration, feeding, and general attitude upon being placed outside for the summer and getting real sunlight. I saw no difference in any of those cases with UV lighting and man did I spend a LOT of money on some of that lighting.

When we got into the new facility we made sure the animals never worried about it again. We added large plexiglass panels to the roofing. I got sheets of hockey glass, from my local rink, and put em in place. You can actually watch the animals walk over and plop down in the sunlight.

As for the Albino specimine it is completely different. Having discussed this at length with the folks down at St. Augustine I found that direct sunlight seems to be nad for them. They, however, get the light from the reflected light around them so they still get some of the affects.

As for the farming, welp I have been a LONG TIME outspoken advocate of farming. It helped to bring back the populations in the wild. I do not agree with the way they keep the animals, but, how many of us think about things like that when we buy chicken at the grocery? I have seen examples of crocs from farms with malformed jaws, weakened bones, and other problems. I would prefer seeing the animals kept in a large out doors holding ponds, but, it's the factory and quantity mentality over quality.
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2 A. Miss at 8'
5 A. Miss at 3'-5'
1 C. Nil at 9'
1 C. Croc at 6.5'
and
6 A. Miss/C. Croc 2'-3'

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