Reptile & Amphibian Forums

until one of my customers asked me today. She asked if her newly aquired albino ball would have any ill affects from bringing it outside in direct sunlight?
I told her I would check for her. I have never thought of this, but then again my snakes never go outside like that for more than 10-15 minutes. Any info on this topic would welcome.

thanks
Steve

as long as you slap some sunblock and a pair of sunnies on them i'm sure they will be fine :0)
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You all talk Balls,I talk Royals ;0)
www.alpharoyals.co.uk

Perhaps she's referring to albinism and it being more sensitive to sunlight. The red eyes may also be more sensitive. As for a normal ball python, I don't think sunlight would hurt them, but then again in the wild they rarely come out during the day. But I would think an albino with red eyes would be a little more sensitive to light than a normal.

I would venture a guess that since a snake scale is mainly composed of keratin that sunlight would not cause any problems other than increasing core body temperatures. Have you ever had a sunburn on your fingernails or hair? I cannot say I ever have.

Brad Ratliff

You do not won’t to have it in direct sun light for very long as with all Albinos animals there eyes are very sensitive to bright light and can get sun burned very easily . David of DS Reptile Rescue

only possible danger from the sun or ANY uv light is damage to the eye that can result in blindness. I've had lots of experience with albino alligators and albino iguanas. If you expose baby albino iguanas to a powerfull uv light source up close it can result in blindness. Once the lizards are about 1 year old its not a problem. At that point their eyelids are thicker and offer more protection. Contrary to what most people think the sun has little to no effect on the skin. When first exposed to direct sun my 3-4' albino alligators turned a light pink color but there was no damage of any kind to the skin. I've never considered snakes because they don't require uv light and I never offered it. I would expect the same results however. In fact because snakes have no eyelids It may potentially be a much more serious problem at a much faster rate. Tom Crutchfield

Thanks for the replies guys. Its nice to know snake people are always willing to help out a fellow herper.

lots of luck to you,
Steve

none of my balls are albino (although thats next on the list) i have noticed a difference in behavior when having my albino corns in the sunlight so i often wondered that myself