Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I need some help understanding the differences between the kinds of heat lamps I can get. I saw some posts saying that black lights are bad for my leo. I also saw a post that made it seem like the bulb type are ok because they are just regular bulbs whose glass is colored and that it is the black light tubes (shaped like a flourescent bulb) that are actually bad. So now I am confused.

The problem is I had this really nice Exo Terra Night Glo 75w incandescent bulb that didn't say "black" light anywhere on it. But it looked black and emitted a purple light that looked like the kind a "black light" gives off. It was perfect for night time viewing. Well, my kitty knocked it off the tank and broke it. So I thought that although I wasn't sure this night glo light was bad for my leo, this was an opportunity to try the red night lights that are rumored to be safer. So I got an ESU Reptiles RedHeat 75w incandescent red bulb. What a disappointment! The tank is 2 degrees cooler than with the previous bulb and I can't see my leo at all when the house lights are out (which is the best time to watch because, well, you know ).

So I am considering going back to the bulb I had before, but I don't want to do it if doing so will be bad for my leo. But I REALLY want to be able to watch my leo at night too. I wish there was a website out there with some definitive information about these different kinds of lights.

Help me out if you can, thank you.

Brak

Brak,

IMO near UV lights are not harmful to geckos. I use bulbs that are close to a purple color, and them aren’t very bright, but put off a good amount of heat. I use them on two of my cages. They are incandescent light bulbs, and they work well for viewing and heating. I think what may be dangerousness is UV light, like that of a florescent black light. They are deeper into the UV spectrum. Make sure you put a brick or something heavy on the base of your lamp so that nothing can tip it over, that can be a big fire hazard. Keep us posted,

DaveCable

r u going to the Tucson show in a few weeks?

Thanks Dave, that sure sounds like good news. So UV light is damaging...isn't that the same expensive kind of light that other lizards need? I have heard that some people give their leopard geckos that kind of light and claim that it makes their leos more active, etc.

Yeah, I was planning on going to the show, sounds like fun.

Brak

I don't post as much as I probably should, but since I've had numerous calls and email on this topic, I'd like to comment. My school of thought comes from... 1.) 10 years experience as a Leopard Gecko Breeder, 2.) a ChemE Degree, and 3.) common sense.

Leopard Geckos are primarily nocturnal, which means that they do NOT utilize sunlight in the ways that other reptiles do. This also means that their eyes and skin have not adapted the natural UV filters that other creatures have. Not only does light bother their eyes, but their retinas do not have the same photo receptors that most other species do. On that note, neither does their skin have natural UV defense from harmful light rays... especially the shorter wavelengths under 350 nanometers.

It is very confusing when we read the spectral output of commercial lamps and bulbs, but keep in mind that they are designed for reptiles that require light in order to assimilate VitD which serves as a catalyst for the absorbtion of calcium into their systems. Leopard Geckos are not among these reptiles. Sunlight has the proper ratio of the full light spectrum to sustain life on this planet... and our atmosphere serves as the natural actinic filter for the harmful rays. Why then, should we assume that any living creature needs an unnatural level of any specific wavelength?

Lights should NOT be used as a primary heat source for Leopard Geckos. Belly heat (UTH) is more natural for them since they rely on the heat absorbed from the sun in the rocks and hard-packed clay which is their natural substrate in the wild. This is extremely critical for their metabolism, immune system, and digestion.

So, now what? I can only recommend that any form of unnatural light be used conservatively for Leopard Geckos, and for relatively short periods of time... and always make sure your Leo has a place to escape from it.
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Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
www.goldengategeckos.com