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I want to get a bearded dragon but I'm not sure what kind of light I need. I was told that I need a uv bulb then I was told that I could just use a normal light bulb. so which one do I get?

you will need a light to produce heat for a basking spot and you will need a light that produces uv-b it is still an argument but most current reptile keepers will tell you they benifit from the uv.
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Tom
1.2.0 Leopard Gecko (dot, spot, leo)
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Lots Of Fish

I don't know about it being an argument? I have never found one credible source that doesn't recommend UVB, just a few wildcats with too small a sample size to be significant.

For bearded dragons and nearly all diurnal (active during day) reptiles require two kinds of light. A regular household or spotlight bulb to produce heat and light so the dragon can bask underneath (bearded dragons need basking temps between 95-115F, higher end best for younger dragons, though providing a large sloping basking area so different spots can be slightly hotter or cooler within the range, is idea. The tank should also have a cooler area, around 75-85F during day).

Bearded dragons also need a UVB light, such as reptisun or reptiglo florescent tubes (don't use the compact versions, these are known to cause serious issues.) or mercury vapor bulbs designed to produce UVB. Or, regular access to direct unfiltered sunlight (ie no glass, screen between dragon and the sun's rays. Window glass filters out about 99% of the UVB rays). Several hours of sunlight per week can substitute for UVB bulbs. But keep in mind if you are from climates that get too cold or too hot, you may not be able to provide direct sunlight year around.

There are some people who use only supplementary sources of Vitamin D3 without UVB light exposure and seem to have good results..but I don't recommend this. It is too hard to accurately ensure your dragon has enough D3 in their diet and they can have too much and OD on Vit D3 and this is just as harmful as not having enough. Vitamin D3 is produced naturally when dragons are exposed to UVB light. This is in turn used to utilize calcium the dragon ingests. Exactly how much Vit. D3 a dragon needs daily is not known, hence why its not easy to be able to judge this with supplements alone. The body will naturally stop producing Vit D3 if the dragon is allowed to bask under UVB rays...hence why its better to provide the proper lighting and let the dragon and its body determine when it has enough.

It is a complex process, but short answer, you need both kinds of light. A light for heat and providing a basking spot, and a light that produced UVB.
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PHLdyPayne

you need a basking bulb on one side of the tank so your beardie can bask. as for a uvb bulb you need that also bc the rays from the uvb bulbs help with synthasizing calcium (something like that). i use zoomed basking lights for my warm end and reptisun 5.0 for my uvb bulbs.
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0.2.1 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Butter Cornsnake
2 dogs(dachund/minpin mix & blue heeler/pitbull mix)
1 quarter horse

The fact is that it has not been proven that bearded dragons need UVB lighting in order to thrive. Many respected breeders and keepers have successfully raised generations upon generations without UVB lighting. I, myself, have only raised 3 from neonates to aproximately 2yrs of age (so far, and still going) without the first UVB light source.

Not a single soul here can point to a single reputable scientific research that proves the need for UVB. I've read all the reports and they all have similar summaries: "This study seems to indicate the need for UVB."

However, I will say this: I do believe that the use of UVB lighting might can cover a multitude of sins by today's average keeper. I see it as a "bandaid" for typical, common, husbandry. Unfortunately, today's average keeper lacks the knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and common animal keeping-sense, to successfully keep even the hardy Cuban Tree Frog, much less a bearded dragon.

There also isn't any evidence that most of today's UVB lighting, if used properly, can/will cause any harm. Some of the mercury UVB will, if used improperly. Something to keep in mind is the fact that the UVB derived from lightbulbs are manmade, not natural. There simply hasn't been enough non-objective research to prove if these rays are harmful or beneficial. And that is an undisputable fact.

With that said, given the lack of abilities of today's average keeper it's probably best for most to start out using a UVB source.

As far as who someone called "wildcats," I can be considered a wildcat, in more ways than one. Haha! And nothing personal intended towards anyone here, but I know some "wildcats" with ten-fold the experience of anyone on this forum.

Follow this caresheet to the "T" and you'll have healthy, long-living bearded dragons. These are not "wildcats."
Bearded Dragons and other Creatures

There, you have the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Search out the facts for yourself and come to your own conclusion. Don't let me or anyone else influence you.

Have a great day!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

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