I guess he was referring to me. Its not needed, and in many ways its very detrimental.

It does't appear that UV bulbs harm monitors, but I imagine that if used in amounts that were helpful, it would indeed be harmful. Read instructions on these types of bulbs. They say do not look into the bulbs for extented periods. Whos going to tell the monitors not to look at the bulbs.

Also, its a bit like the boy with his finger in the hole in the damn. He can stay there with his finger in the dam or fix it. Thats the problem with UV type bulbs, they give the false sense of security about poor husbandry. Its better to fix the dam(improve your husbandry)Then sit there with your finger in the dam.

Varanids and many other reptiles need a wide range of temps. When they have that, they do not need to be fixed by all sorts of bandaid cures(UV bulbs is a bandaid cure). Without a wide range of temps, then you will need more then UV type bulbs.

In short, UV bulbs are a product promoted for a profit. As its not needed in anyway and is of no benefit. That is, if you have decent husbandry.

By the way, I have raised turtles, torts, chams, beardeds, many varanids, snakes of many many types, many many other species if lizards, all without UV bulbs and indoors. I raised them to a productive life. I have been doing this for over a period of 45 years.

What is lost in most if not all conversations about UV and calicum is, WHEN IS IT NEEDED MOST. Most are only taking about needed these bulbs to be healthy or simply to prevent something that may or may not occur. That is so very naive. Others talk about the high need for usable calicum during reproduction, that too is very naive. Without question Calicum is critically needed during rapid growth. This is about the only time there should be a concern. As fast growing reptiles are doubling their skeleton as fast as every week.

Our reptiles grow very quickly and we do not use UV bulbs. Our results are equal to or exceed anyones. Cheers

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