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As i was reading, ball pythons do not need any special lighting because they are nocturnal, which makes perfect sense. But for some reason i was told that i should get a UVA and UVB light for the tank by an employee at the pet store. I thought i did not need this light. Is it important to have one. Please help
Jon
Not needed.
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Tosha
JET Pythons
Toshas Blog
Herp Medicine does not equal a bottle of Baytril - Dr. Scott Stahl
You don't need any special lighting for ball pythons. Just normal daylight filtering through their cage is more than enough to provide a day/light cycle. Temperatures provided by a UTH is far more important.
Pet stores have to sell things to stay in business, of course salespeople there will say you need a UVB light so they can sell you more stuff.
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PHLdyPayne
thank you for the help!
Unfortunately when an item is labeled "reptile light", staff who don't know any better think that it applies to all reptiles. Either that or they're just trying to sell you stuff you don't need to make more money. Either way, thousands of ball pythons are being kept world wide right now in rack systems that have no lighting at all except for ambient room light that filters through the front of the tubs. As the others said, you do not need a UVA light.
I sold a normal male ball python to a local pet shop for $50 store credit a couple years ago. They turned around and sold the snake for $89.99 plus the 20gallon aquarium, flourescent lights under tank heating, coconut bark, hides and waterbowl for a grand total of like $225 - $250.
As long as a pet shop isnt selling a burm that is going to grow to 20' to a 16 year old kid, or heat rocks with the snake so he will get all burned up, I could care less.
Good for the store for making money and shame on the layperson for not doing their homework.
A fool and his money will soon be parted. It sounds like you are no fool!
I agree, and this is why i appreciate this forum and everyone's help
They're just trying to take your money.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."
-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)
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