Lighting question.

[pumba]

Alright, Here is another for the experts in the room. Everything that I have read has told me that the Ball Python does not need any special lighting. This was due to the fact that they are nocturnal, and are naturally not out in the sun. Of course, before I read this I had already purchased a U.V. bulb to put over the tank. After reading this, I fugured, why pay $20.00 for a U.V. Bulb that I didn't need and took it back. Upon doing that, I was told that the Ball Python is nocturnal, but still needs U.V.B. lighting to keep some type of bone diseas away. Is it me or is this stuff very complicated.

So the question (rather questions) is this. Do I need the U.V. bulb or not. Also, what in the world is U.V.B. light, and what is the bone diseas thing. If this is true, how much U.V. B. light does my snake need and for how long. Can I get it done by taking him out in the sun from time to time. The lady at the pet shop told me that having him by a window would not get the job done, because the U.V.B. light will not travel through glass. Of course, that poses the next question of, If U.V.B. light will not pass through glass, how does the Glass Bulb work? I feel that I am being worked by the pet shop trying to sell items, but then again, I Want to be sure. I just want to be a good owner. Help again Please!

Thanks
Ray

[kavmon]

bp's don't need uvb or uva lighting. they get all the calcium and nutrients they need from rodents. the pet shop is trying to make a sale in my opinion.
basic needs are hot side 90-94/ cool side 80-84, a water bowl and a hide. the proper setup, heat source and using a thermostat will go a long way towards success and fewer problems.



vaughn

[Adam_Wysocki]

I was told that the Ball Python is nocturnal, but still needs U.V.B. lighting to keep some type of bone diseas away.

You were lied to either by a moron that doesn't have a clue or a moron that does have a clue and was trying to rip you off.

-adam

[frankykeno]

Pet shops bless their lil souls sometimes just wanna make a sale or just have such general knowledge about snakes/reptiles they apply it to every darn species willy nilly.

You don't need that bulb and please oh please don't let them sell you a heat rock of any type (we bought one before we knew they are problematic...it now makes a lovely cage decoration minus it's plug in cord....what a waste of cash!).

Best advice Ray for the pocketbook and the snake. Ask here what are basic cage needs and also do use the search function as there's tons of threads about what works and what doesn't or what is just more difficult to make work.

We have yet to purchase one thing from a pet store, other than the snake and it's weekly food.....everything else came from WalMart, Home Depot, Lowe's....this forum's good advice saved us a wasting a lot of cash and getting a huge amount of misinformation (and this is from a local pet store that I actually consider a good one as far as pet shops go).


~~Joanna~~

[doobysnack]

i also use a heat rock with out a cord lol after i had been ripped off lol but lights aitn necisarliy bad in (MY) opinion but i say you should still use uth in every cage, with a good thermastat.cause any snake still needs 12hours of lite and 12 hours of dark remember what ur tryign to do is create somethign close to there natural environment.

[pumba]

Thanks for the responce guys and gals. I need all the help that I can get. I did already get rid of the rock, took it back along with the U.V. light. I now am sporting a overhead I.Red light for the evening temp control along with a regular basking light. I also have a ut heat pad. Things seem to be going quite well with heat and humidity at this time. My hot side is holding pretty steady at 90-91 deg. and my cool side stays around 83-86 deg. My humidity is also staying around 63%. Of course I could not have done it without all of you guys in here that are helping. Thanks again.

Cheers
Ray

[Razaiel]

It's lizards that definitely need the UV lights - they can get very bad deficiency in their bones if they don't have it with malformed limbs - particularly in babies.

I think hot rocks aren't recommended.

Sue

[doobysnack]

yes heat rock are very bad