Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
We use two lights on our cages, one is a regular bulb for heat, one is a red light bulb for viewing purposes.
Can we use a blacklight light bulb instead of the red?
Is this type of light OK for snakes?
Thanks!
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Suzanne
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0.1 Creamsicle Corn - Scout
0.1 Snow Corn - Lilly
1.0 Okeetee Corn - Colonel
0.1 Ghost Corn - Willow
1.0 Butter Corn

You know, I honestly don't know if blacklights are harmful to snakes or not. If it were just used for the occasional viewing, I probably wouldn't worry about it. If you intend to have it on for a length of time each day, I would suggest you do research on whether blacklights are harmful to animals in general and make a decision based on that.

-Kat
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"You keep WHAT in your freezer?"
"Mice. And rats. If that bothers you, I can call them 'cows' instead."

On another board (kingsnake I think) people were saying that it might be a link with blindness to black lights. Also If im correct those are the lights at the clubs where everything white looks blue (lint,socks,etc.), If thats the light then no I wouldnt recomend using it. Imagine having to look up at the weird light everytime you went out. Why not just get a regular white incadesent light bulb for viewing and in the night just use a black incadesent light bulb.

>>Hello,
>>We use two lights on our cages, one is a regular bulb for heat, one is a red light bulb for viewing purposes.
>>Can we use a blacklight light bulb instead of the red?
>>Is this type of light OK for snakes?
>>Thanks!
>>-----

I can't say for sure but I have read on several occaisions that black lights can be harmful to snakes.
Do I remember why? Nope
Do I remember reading any evidence to support this? nope
I just remember reading it may be hazardous.
I personally would't use them until I reseached it as thoruoghly as absolutely possible.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

some pet shops sell plastic sleeves to go over flourescant bulbs i have seen red and yellow, how about a red sleeve??

Thanks, I didn't know that.
I'll look into it.
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Suzanne
------------------------------
0.1 Creamsicle Corn - Scout
0.1 Snow Corn - Lilly
1.0 Okeetee Corn - Colonel
0.1 Ghost Corn - Willow
1.0 Butter Corn

I will research this and see if I find anything.
Thanks for all your answers. : )
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Suzanne
------------------------------
0.1 Creamsicle Corn - Scout
0.1 Snow Corn - Lilly
1.0 Okeetee Corn - Colonel
0.1 Ghost Corn - Willow
1.0 Butter Corn

I found this link that has some info on this subject.
http://www.calzoo.com/pdf/uvlighting.pdf
Link

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Suzanne
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0.1 Creamsicle Corn - Scout
0.1 Snow Corn - Lilly
1.0 Okeetee Corn - Colonel
0.1 Ghost Corn - Willow
1.0 Butter Corn

First off, there's a world of difference between a UV light used for reptiles to allow them to produce vitamin D and a blacklight.

Second, the UV lights used for reptiles are bright enough that they'll disturb the reptile if used at night.

While you'd be okay using a reptile UV light on your snake(s?) during the day, the effects of using a normal blacklight at night are still unknown.

I do agree with what was previously stated about blacklights. I recall hearing that they're bad for snakes, but can't remember who said it or what the reasons were, which is why I advise you to continue to research the subject and NOT install one until you know about the health effects of the particular variety you intend on using.

-Kat
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"You keep WHAT in your freezer?"
"Mice. And rats. If that bothers you, I can call them 'cows' instead."

Don't worry, I'm not going to put one in. Not yet anyway. I searched around for over an hour and did not find much. It may just be the way I'm wording my search so I'll keep looking.
Thanks for the info though.
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Suzanne
------------------------------
0.1 Creamsicle Corn - Scout
0.1 Snow Corn - Lilly
1.0 Okeetee Corn - Colonel
0.1 Ghost Corn - Willow
1.0 Butter Corn

Looks like the fluorescent black lights could cause blindness in snakes. I am enclosing a link from a very trusted source. However I been unable to find any positive or negative about the incandescent black lights.
Link