It seems with monitors that it's really unnecessary from any point of view. With uromastyx (smaller lizard, similar requirements as far as caging), it seems like they might need it a little more to get d3 since they survive on veggies, but still, 2 hours out in the sun a day seems to be really about all they need to get things done, and in captivity any d3 problems are eliminated if you're using the right supplements, which are much cheaper than getting the lights. Beardies seem to like UV rays, but it's hard to tell if that's strictly a part of being in captivity or if it's how they really act in the wild. My assumption would be that they would only bask for a little while and then find a nice place to hang out, but I think I need to do more research on their wild habits.



But for my beardie, I have a reptisun 5.0...it's just been used for so long that it's basically the same by now as a standard flourescent bulb. I don't really feel the urge to get new UV lights, and instead I think I might just stick with regular halogens and regular flourescents, and the right supplementation.



Very interesting topic.

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