Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently purchased a 9" BTS(age unknown). I have been reading conflicting info on what substrates to use and the actual need for UVB lighting. I currently heat half the cage with a high quality undertank heat pad on a thermostat and I am using a Reptisun 5.0 bulb. I also am using multiple layers of paper towels as a substrate but I am looking to change to something different. First Question: Do BTS need UVB if they are fed a proper diet with calcium suppliments or will a plain basking light do? I use a "Vision" cage and there is only room for one light either a small basking or a UVB strip light. The heat pad maintains a nice ambient cage temperature and the shinks does move around to different hide outs for thermoregulation. I am constantly checking the entire cage and cage floor temperatures with a digital laser pointer themometer. The skink seems quite happy, has plenty of room to roam, and is eating well. Second Question: What are people using for substrates? I have read about different substrates ranging from Cage Carpet to Aspen Chips to Reptibark etc. Any sugestions would be helpful. Plain old paper towels aren't that attractive. Thanks for any advice.

Daryn

i use a type of bark for my skink, but you have to be carefull, because certain terrain is bad for them and can effect their respitory

If you want to allow your skink to naturally burrow I recommend large shredded Aspen as a substrate. Aspen has safely worked for my BTS for over 25 yrs with no ill effects. Do Not use Ceder as the oils from this bark will cause respiratory inflammation and possibly infection. Pine and ReptiBark tend to create too much dust particles. Some breeders use towels for substrate which is also very safe and easy to clean. With large Shreded Aspen you can spot clean daily, easily replace once a month, and is psychologically benifical for the skink by allowing burrowing, a natural behaviour, and giving hime multiple hiding spots.

As for UV fluorescent lights, yes they are benifical for two issues. 1) allow better synthysis of calcuim D3, 2)BTS raised under UVB 5.0 to 10.0 bulbs will be more colorfull. There are many different brands of UV fluorescent lights available. I have found ZooMed 10.0, Lumichrome 1XX, and Exo-Terra 8.0 used together in a dual fluorescent fixture to work the best.