Do we need UV (UVB) light for our Ball Pythons?

Do we need UV (UVB) light for our Ball Pythons?

I was told to buy one by this petsmart guy, i dont even know if i need it. i'm reading articles on net saying that its totally useless for snakes. Can anyone help? thanks!

They don't need it at all. They're nocturnal. A daylight cycle provided by a window in the room could be beneficial, but they don't actually need UVB.

No, you dont

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LIGHTING
Neither UV lighting or supplemental lighting is required for ball-pythons. They do well with ambient room light, so long as the light is not constant and some sort of day/night schedule is provided. Excessive lighting can induce high stress levels in these nocturnal creatures.

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http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

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Originally Posted by kiddomarc

Do we need UV (UVB) light for our Ball Pythons?

I was told to buy one by this petsmart guy, i dont even know if i need it. i'm reading articles on net saying that its totally useless for snakes. Can anyone help? thanks!

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While it is not needed for ball pythons and certainly not a necessity for other snakes, some people have seen what seem to be beneficial changes in behavior when using UV lights with certain species.

I use a 48" Repti Glo 2.0 for my day light cycle, just becuase I think it really helps make the colors more vivid of the plants, background, and other things in there, it gives a neat glow. And when I take him out to play durring the day, he looks great under the light when I put him back, or pester him for a photo, lol. I use a blue UVB daylight bulb for my Crested Gecko too for the same reasons, plus heat, even though they dont need UVB either...it just makes things look cool.
But being nocturnal snakes...UVB is not required, it does no good anyway when they are in their hide all day.

Once in awhile a pet shop employee will know what they're doing, but most of them are clueless. The two pet stores near where I live make me sick when I see how they keep their reptiles (at least in this case the UV light probably wouldn't be unhealthy as long as it wasn't too bright.)

awesome.. :) thanks everyone for the help! :)

Bright lights can actually stress out a BP. A dark tight hide is usually a BP's best friend;)

I'll keep that in mind.. a dark tight hide.. i guess i'll look for that in the petshop