Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is some further information I found. While people are of course keeping their animals quite successfully without any UV, the below article indicates that UV exposure provides for a stronger immune system.

If anyone would like a copy of the article, please feel free to drop me an email and I'll send you a PDF copy.

Cheers
Bryan
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Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry
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Australian Venom Research Unit,
University of Melbourne
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Population and Evolutionary Genetics Unit,
Museum Victoria
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http://www.venomdoc.com
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Blood values in wild and captive Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis)

Don Gillespie 1 *, Frederic L. Frye 2, Steven L. Stockham 3, Terry Fredeking 4

1Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Nashville, Tennessee
2Frederic L. Frye and Associates, Davis, California
3University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
4Antibody Systems, Inc., Hurst, Texas

*Correspondence to Don Gillespie, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, 3777 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN 37211

Keywords

Komodo dragons; Varanus komodoensis; blood values; normal physiologic values

Abstract

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living lizard and occupies a range smaller than that of any other large carnivore in the world. Samples from 33 free-ranging animals at five localities in Komodo National Park, Indonesia were evaluated to assess underlying health problems. To build a comparative database, samples from 44 Komodo dragons in both Indonesian and U.S. zoos were also analyzed. Tests performed included complete blood counts, clinical chemistry profiles, vitamin A, D3, and E analyses, mineral levels, and screening for chlorinated pesticides or other toxins in wild specimens. Blood samples from wild dragons were positive for hemogregarines, whereas captive specimens were all negative. Total white blood cell counts were consistently higher in captive Komodo dragons than in wild specimens. Reference intervals were established for some chemistry analytes, and values obtained from different groups were compared. Vitamin A and E ranges were established. Vitamin D3 levels were significantly different in Komodo dragons kept in captive, indoor exhibits versus those with daily ultraviolet-B exposure, whether captive or wild specimens. Corrective measures such as ultraviolet-permeable skylights, direct sunlight exposure, and self-ballasted mercury vapor ultraviolet lamps increased vitamin D3 concentrations in four dragons to levels comparable with wild specimens. Toxicology results were negative except for background-level chlorinated pesticide residues. The results indicate no notable medical, nutritional, or toxic problems in the wild Komodo dragon population. Problems in captive specimens may relate to, and can be corrected by, husbandry measures such as regular ultraviolet-B exposure. Zoo Biol 19:495-509, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The ability to reach maximum temps(voluntarily) and have the ability to get away for those high temps. This is key to the immune system. Also a stress free enviornment is important.

If the addition of UV likes helps allow this temperature range, then great. But they surely are not needed, as many many normal lites allow this without problem.

People need to consider that reptiles are not indotherms, as such, they do not live with a constant body temp, they use their metabolism to achieve different tasks. It seems the immune system requires exposure to the higher temps in they perferred range. Thanks

Very curious what you back up your claims with. I know you've had great success keeping and breeding multiple species, but you can't determine whether or not UV has an affect on the immune system just by observing animals. You'd have do a much more complete study and analysis of a whole host of variables. Do you have knowledge of or have you participated in such a study? Not trying to flame you, just trying to understand what you base your claims on.
David

Well, I base my opinions on over forty years of keeping and breeding reptiles of many sorts. And doing that thu many generations of many types of reptiles.

I could start at the begining and go from there, but would take a very long time. So I won't.

You really need to think about this. When I respond to a question on a post such as this one, I say, its my experience. That is what it means, its my experience.

How are you suppose to use this. First understand, my experience is only offered to help, if you do not want it, then please ignore it. Also, its offered for your consideration. That means, its there for you to think about, maybe test it for yourself.

All and all, none of what you read is of any value nor will it solve anything for you, unless you apply it. So its there for you to think about and maybe apply.

Consider, I am not the one who needs answers for my monitors having toes fall off or tail tips or mouthrot or CDD, or URD, or any of the common immune surpressed deseases that occur with monitors. It must be something, maybe its the heat?

My results and opinions are no different then someone who makes up stuff to impress you. No matter how sugar coated or strait forward its offered, its still your task to pick what you want. Its not my or anyones job to prove or convince or backup.

I would think the pics of all the monitors and hatching and growing and such would suffice. But if it doesn't, I wish you luck with your decisions. Thanks FR

"Total white blood cell counts were consistently higher in captive Komodo dragons than in wild specimens."

An elevated number of white blood cells is called leukocytosis. This can result from bacterial infections, inflammation, leukemia, trauma, or stress.

Considering it says this was consistent within captives, I would put the blame on stress.

As for the vit. D3UV rays are not the only source. Did they also take note of the diet? Captive monitors get D3 from the diet if fed the correct foods. If not then they need supplementation.

Brian, i was a bit surprised to see you on this forum but nice to see you just the same. I appreciate your info. there are some "difficult" people on this forum but i am sure others appreciate you taking the time to add some constructive information as much as I do. My producers are still working on that show we discussed to se asia but it will probably not happen until this summer. I do not know how much interest you have with varanus species but as we are also trying to co-ordinate a trip to the PNG area in search of yet undescribed monitor species, let me know if this is something you would be interested in participating in. i will email you when i get the specifics on both trips. thanks, don

Hi mate

I have more than just a passing interest in goannas. I consider them as simply one of the most amazing animals to have ever popped up from the vortex of evolution.

In the article, the authors mentioned that vitamin D production from UV is autoregulating, as opposed to the relative ease at which hypovitaminosis or hypervitaminosis is produced through the use of dietary supplements. An interesting point.

Cheers
Bryan
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Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Australian Venom Research Unit,
University of Melbourne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Population and Evolutionary Genetics Unit,
Museum Victoria
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.venomdoc.com