Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The other day I looked up whether I would get any benefit from the suns UV rays if I stood in front of my window and the answer was that UV rays don't penetrate glass. If this is true then how are all of those reptiles getting any benefit from those UV ray lights if the rays can't benefit the glass of the bulb? Kinda makes ya wonder. Kinda makes one feel cheated to have spent money on something that doesn't work as claimed. Any thoughts?

UV bulbs are made of quartz glass, not ordinary glass, which in turn lets UV rays pass through them.

Certain reptiles need different UV spectrums to stay healthy and to synthesize their food into vitamin D3. Without UV rays, their bones can get deformed and get what is known as "rubber jaw". Others like most snakes don't need any UV light at all to stay very healthy and thrive.

Many pet stores have their employess "push" UV light lamps to reptile customers even though their particular reptiles don't need it at all. Some need it for different thing, and some don't at all, so it pays to do some research on the specific needs of certain reptiles beforehand. There are also different strength bulbs and wave-lengths for different needs.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thank you for you explanation, Doug. The article I read on the UV rays just mentioned glass. I didn't realize there were different kinds. Wouldn't they have mentioned that? It's just hard to believe what is said sometimes with all the bull going around, like employee's pushing the need to use UV on snakes that don't need it. So, naturally, if the UV ray light manufactures say that thier lights actually produce UV rays in spite of them going through glass, I am also a bit leary. Know what I mean?

Yes, I definitely know what you mean. One often has to sift through alot of things and do some research to find out what is is really fact and what is incomplete information and/or myth.

UV bulbs also have a limited and variable lifespan as far as their effectiveness with giving off the amount of UV they did when new. This varies considerably with the specific type and manufacturer.

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

I vote for that they are a rip off. This is a case of the emperor has no clothes. First only vegitarian animals rely on sunlight for D3, an iguqna for instance. Reptiles that eat other animals will get enough D3 from their diet. That said, the ability of artifical light to produce D3 synthesis is far less than natural sunlight, and unreliable as the spectrum degrades over the life time of the bulb. Most reach their target spectrum only in the first three months if at all. Bottom line, if you own an iguanna or some other vegitarian, get a screen cage that you put outside for some indirect sunlight. One or two hours a week out in the sun during the spring and summer will do far more a grand spent on lightbulbs!

This is MissHisssss and I aprove that last message.