Black Light & Ball Python

Hello,
I wonder if Black lights are harmful to BP's. I have a normal black light fluorescent in my room, (not for heating or anything related to BP, just for myself) which glows whites and phosphorescent objects. I've heard they are harmful to tarantula's eyes. Thus, i'm wondering if they are also mean any harm to BP's eyes or anything else. Here is a pic of the fluorescent and Bp cage in my room(Sorry for the pic size)
Thanks :)
http://b1110.hizliresim.com/11/10/14/7380.jpg

I've had black lights in my house since I was 13 years old, and all sorts of pets, spiders, scorpions, squirrels, hedgehogs, and many others, and I've never had any ill effects on them as far as I could tell. Always had healthy animals. My snakes now have a black light (heat lamp) above their cage, although it is not of the florescent type, doesn't seem to bother them in the slightest.

Reptile blacklights do not mean any harm for sure.. But mine is not one of them, i have bought it years ago even before i got a BP, just to create a nice ambient in my room.

Black light emits large amounts of UVA and B radiation. They are not good for YOUR eyes. Typically they are not true backlights and just low power and have UVA and not much else. They are ok not great in general true black lights are quite hazardous items and should not be bare in a room ever.

The black light you have is a long wave type, it's not going to harm anything. if it was a medium or short wave black light then you would have problems. The amount of radiation coming from your light isn't enough to do anything.

Following is taken from a website:

A long wave UV-A black light is the type used for entertainment purposes, such as at concerts and in clubs. It makes materials glow and creates atmosphere.

A black light that emits medium wave UV-B rays causes certain bodily fluids to luminesce. Crime scene investigators and forensic labs use these to detect blood, saliva, semen and other fluids. Medium wave black lights are also used to detect anti-counterfeit markers in currency and have many other security applications.

A short wave UV-C black light emits radiation that is destructive enough to purify water of living contaminants and to sterilize medical equipment. It has a variety of industrial uses and is considered “germicidal.”

Because of the potential harm to the eyes from unseen radiation, one should not stare into a black light. Professionals who work with black lights, particularly UV-B and UV-C lights, wear UV-protective eyewear with yellow-tinted lenses. The yellow tint blocks blue light waves in the HEV or near-UV spectrum, which doctors have associated with macular degeneration. Barring staring into a black light, experts do not believe that occasional exposure to black lights as used for entertainment purposes is harmful. However, those with prolonged or repeated exposure to black light should wear UV-protective eyewear that includes HEV protection.

This is what types on it, maybe it will be more specific :)
http://c1110.hizliresim.com/11/10/14/9095.jpg

i think that speaker is a bit close to the snake tho in the pic :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crazy ball

i think that speaker is a bit close to the snake tho in the pic :rolleyes:

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Too bad that he can't hear anything :(

That is a 365nm long wave uva bulb. There are studies that suggest long term exposure to 95 to 365 nm can cause photo-oxidation of human lens pigment problems, and cataracts. That is why good sunglasses block UVA and UVB.

http://www.iovs.org/content/16/10/932.full.pdf

I work with long and short wave UV exposure units and the data that came with it states the light blocking guards be in place and eye protection be worn at all time.

The risk is slight but it is there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by djann

Too bad that he can't hear anything :(

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Snakes can feel vibrations of a mouse from great distances. just saying.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0221105350.htm