Artificial light and BPs: Is a natural light cycle "Bad" for BPs?

I recently responded to a post on a FB BP group... The OP had a light on for the pics and it was basically inferred that you should never use artificial light in an enclosure with a BP. I commented and said that if the snake was provided proper hides and cover and the light cycle was natural (12hrs) then I saw no problem with having the enclosure lighted... I was then told that BPs hardly ever see light in nature and that light stresses them out, to which I responded that this was news to me...I've never heard that or read it online. Now, I don't have a ton of BP experience (I currently own 3), so I thought I'd post here and get the general consensus of the forum.

So, my question to you guys, who have been keeping far longer than me is: Is artificial light (i.e. 6500k daylight bulb) on a timed light cycle bad for BPs if given proper cover?

I'd appreciate your input as I don't want to be spreading false info, but also want to know if what I was told is BS or over-exaggerated.

I would ditch the Light bulb and go with nature day light

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UVB lights on a 12/12 are actually beneficial to a BP, from what I understand. They're more likely to bask and be out and about while still utilizing hides. And I like keeping my ball on a 12/12 cycle anyways -- that way I actually get to see her sometimes lol.

What about very limited light (i.e. Underground basement with a small transom window)? Curious if a BP is able to decifer night and day with such limited light.

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

What about very limited light (i.e. Underground basement with a small transom window)? Curious if a BP is able to decifer night and day with such limited light.

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I think as long as the room gets visibly lighter than it is at night, you are OK. I'm not even sure if they actually "need" a light cycle.

UVB is beneficial but it's not necessary, natural light cycle is sufficient imo, I don't use any extra sources of light for my bp, and the breeder I got Solidus from didn't recommend doing so, either. It should be enough that the room they're in is light during the day and dark during the night, but I guess honestly like most things in bp keeping, it comes down to your own preference - - so if you want to invest in artificial lighting, go ahead, at least there's no harm in it.

I am curious about this myself. I have always read that since they are nocturnal they have no benefit from UVB lighting but do they benefit from having more direct light exposure from either a UVB bulb or full spectrum light or is that only for breeding?

I have always had my snake in indirect lighting from windows across from his enclosure but if direct lighting albeit dim is beneficial, I would like to know.

I don't know. I've never offered UV lighting to any of my reptiles except my chameleon. All of my nocturnal reptiles either get D3 supplemented in the diet they eat, dusted on feeders, or in the case of rodent-eaters, I believe they absorb some from their prey.

What was weird to me (and the reason I posted this thread) was that people were telling me that it was BAD for you to have any extra light on a BP setup, which I have never heard. I have actually since left that group because they seem to have very strict (and somewhat absurd) guidelines on what is and is not acceptable BP husbandry....i.e. the lighting issue above :/

I was told that natural light cycle is good and that having light on all the time can cause stress for BPs because of how active they are at night.

Always assumed that the reason for their activity was the lack of light.

Also pretty sure that they can see the red light even if it is dim, so it very likely that will cause at least a little bit of stress.
Im a recent owner, but I was using a heat lamp (red) at night for the first few nights. I found after removing it and switching to a heat mat with a thermostat he became much more active at night because there was no light for him to hide from.

ball pythons don't need "natural light" like UVB like lots of lizards do. BP's get all the needed calcium from the bones they digest from rodents. I have all my snakes running on a 12 hour light cycle and they all seem to do fine. at night they come out more because they are nocturnal, but sometimes some will come out early morning and lay in the light.