Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

I know that there was some discussion some time ago regarding UV lighting for crocodilians, where some said that it was necessary and some said that it wasn't. Some had said that crocodilians are closer related to birds than reptiles and therefore really didn't need it. I guess my question is now, has anyone noticed any comparative differences between their indoor and outdoor housed crocodilians? Did either appear to be better feeders? More active? More alert? It's understood that their body functions better when able to achieve their Optimum Body Temp, but would Full Spectrum Lighting add any benefit? For the dwarf caimans that are more active at night, I don't see them being benefitted any further other than possibly making them act more naturally as far as moving on land during night and staying in the water during the day.

I'm sorry if this is a newbie question as it appears that it upsets certain individuals.

Thanks for the help as always,

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

View my website: www.herpfanatic.com

I think we discussed this before in another forum, but it can be said that the benefits of full spectrum lighting often are immeasurable and go beyond the basic calcium metabolism seen many lizards. Do crocs have that retinal tissue on the top of their heads as do the iguanids? (I can't recal the name this minute, but many people call it the third eye)

If they do then full spectrum lighting is definately beneficial.

Whether it's birds, crocs, humans or other herptiles, there is a certain "feeling" that comes with sunlight that is difficult to reproduce. Perhaps it's just the breeze? lol, it'll be interesting to hear people's experience with croc's indoors vs outdoors.

As for the family tree... do people really think that they are closer to birds than reptiles? They've been listening to Dr. Baker too much! All due respect to him as he's my favorite paleontologist, but he makes it sound like the sparrow in your backyard is a direct descendent to the Tyrannosaurus rex. Crocodilians split from the other families of reptiles a long, long time ago. We're talk'n Triassic here; perhaps even earlier. They are still reptiles no doubt, but truely deservant of their own distinct classification--crocodilian. The birds, their family tree branched off of the dinosaurs somewhere in the mid Cretaceaus period if modern theory is correct. Dinosaurs were not reptiles. (although some reptiles were large enough to be loosly grouped in the generic term "dinosaur"

Hope this is all food for thought

Ian