Posted by:
PHLdyPayne
at Tue Nov 22 16:43:21 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by PHLdyPayne ]
Most diurnal reptiles (ie active during daylight) require UVB in order for their bodies to naturally produce vitamine D3. This vitamin is needed by the body to use calcium from the diet. UVB also plays some role in showing up colors in bearded dragons, hence why some dragons look much brighter when in direct sunlight then they do indoors.
There is still alot of research being done in this area but so far, it has been proven that without UVB lighting of any kind and no vitamine d3 supplimented into the diet, most reptiles will suffer Metabolic Bone Disease and other ailments from the bodies inability to absorb calcium from the diet, even if plenty of calcium is consumed. As the body needs calcium both to form bones and for various other reasons in the body, without it, bones become leached of their calcium, causing bones to become soft and 'rubbery'. Also, twitching is observed as the animal closes motor control. Death will result fairly quickly if nothing is done.
Some good detailed articles below explain more about the importance of UVB lighting.
www.anapsid.org/mbd2.html
www.hagen.com/usa/birds/info_sheet.cfm?CAT=8&INFO=16
www.martinsreptiles.co.uk/ukchams/uvlightingresearch.htm
russiantortoise.org/uvb.htm
www.reptilerooms.com/Sections+index-req-viewarticle-artid-55.html
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PHLdyPayne
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RE: definitive explanation of lighting needs - PHLdyPayne, Tue Nov 22 16:43:21 2005