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I know the health benefits of uv lighting has been discussed in detail time and time again but that's not what I want to know about this time. I've read that uv can bring out the patterns on the skin more. Kind of like a sun tan. Can anyone with experience (FR I'm looking in your direction) tell me if this is true? Ever noticed a difference?
Thanks a lot.

I've heard of this being true and I would submit that it is. When we take our chameleons out into the sunlight they turn the brightest colours instantly. Although, if all you are looking for is a colour change or brighter colours...

I've heard that those reptile spot bulbs...neodynium or something will also brighten the colour of your reptiles.

(and yes I am canadian so we spell color=colour)

anyway...we don't use uvb with any of our reptiles...they either get direct sunlight in the summer or a supplement through the winter.

hope that helps.
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Chris Vanderwees

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Colour is definitely the correct spelling. I'm english and we invented the language so I should know. Ha ha.

They get a bit brighter and a a bit more colorful. From my current colection, it affects mainly my adult male beardie, he gets brighter and a hint of a pattern appears (hypo orange pastel German Giant), normally no pattern at all. It makes the area around my one adult females eyes brighter yellow. I havent noticed any change in any of my monitors, with or without it. Past monitors Ive not used it and tried it with no changes.

First its a bit confusing, apples to oranges, and oranges to water buffalo.

You really need to understand this first, reptiles of many kinds change color directly from temps, conditions and/or mood/stiulation(and all of these). Monitors do this to a small degree compared to some other reptiles.

Is this a direct effect of UVB or UVA, I surely do not know. But I do not think so. The reason is, I tested some things that may or may not be applied to this. I compare what monitors did outside, to what they did inside, and adjusted the conditions from what I saw. If I had monitors outside and they appeared brighter/better colored or healthier, I matched the temps that occurred outside in the indoor cages. Doing this allowed the same colors/health to be achieved, even thought there was no UV involved. This is how we came up with the temperature range we use(basking of 150F) We did not simply pull that number out of the air(hahahahahaha)(air, basking, get it?)

Now heres the deal, monitors indeed darken the pigment in the skin outside. Whether this is to deal with the damaging effects of UVa b. I cannot say(again) But I bet it is. This darkening and thickening is similar to humans tanning. Tanning is directly related to protecting the skin, not for beauty or health.

So yes, outside monitors here, have a thicker darkened skin, compared to indoors monitors. There is more contrast between the old skin and the new skin when shedding.

Now back to your question, First, my follow up, does not relate to your question, as I do not believe UV bulbs are worth the box they come in. There UVa or UVb, is nothing compared to the sun(here in tucson) heck, i wonder about the sanity of any person that thinks a little lite bulb you buy at the pet shop, is comparable to the sun in any way/form/fashion. Picture this, I am pointing up at the sun, now I am pointing down at the bulb. The sun(up) litebulb(down) the sun(up) get it. I do not confuse a lite bulb of any kind, with the sun, nor do I think the monitors do either.

Forgive me for being a bit of a desert rat, but come on. You(all of you) are falling for goofy advertising. Sometimes I think the entire education system is based of teaching people to believe adds(for reasons of economy). The reason I think this is, the smartest(most educated) fall the hardest, for these silly adds. I hope some of this helps FR

This is all without UV lights. Simply used is heat from 60 watt floods. These are all babies, but if you'd like colorful adults it works for them too. If this doesnt proove anything to you then I can supply more picture proof.

Wow! Gorgeous pics!