Uvb

Hey guys... as I mentioned on my thread about vet costs, my vet encouraged me to get a uvb lamp for Nag, my little royal python. I had understood that UVB was good for helping the snake process calcium and digest among other things (it's a little fuzzy, this memory) but I thought that the general consensus was that balls are noctournal and therefore don't require a UV lamp... I did buy one, because the vet recommended it, and Nag has been all over his little branch under it ever since I put him back in his tank after his busy day out... he seems very content considering all that he went through today! i had expected him to be in his hide all afternoon and maybe for a day or two, but he seems pretty chill! Anyway, I was hoping that I could get some opinions and insight on the UVB lamp and why the discrepancy (or if I just COMPLETELY missed that little part tell me that too!)

Thanks in advance, you guys are always great!

You may want to consider finding a new vet. Ball Pythons do not require any type of light. He was probably under the lamp for the additional warmth...

The UV lamp is more on the cool side than on the hot side... the heat lamp takes up about a third of the top and the UV lamp takes up the other 2/3... it doesn't appear to give off much heat. The vet's explanation was that they'd get some refractal UV or come out around dusk and get some UV that way in the wild... do you think UV rays would pose any problems for my BP?

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Originally Posted by gibbrishclown

The UV lamp is more on the cool side than on the hot side... the heat lamp takes up about a third of the top and the UV lamp takes up the other 2/3... it doesn't appear to give off much heat. The vet's explanation was that they'd get some refractal UV or come out around dusk and get some UV that way in the wild... do you think UV rays would pose any problems for my BP?

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No, I don't believe it would pose any problems, but I don't think it's necessary. Balls have been kept in captivity for quite some time without the use of special lighting and have shown no adverse affects unlike lizards and turtles that will often have spinal or other problems if not exposed to the correct lighting.

You may want to ask your vet where they got their information. It might just be that I was misinformed about UV requirements for Balls, but everything I've read suggests otherwise. ;)

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Originally Posted by xdeus

No, I don't believe it would pose any problems, but I don't think it's necessary. Balls have been kept in captivity for quite some time without the use of special lighting and have shown no adverse affects unlike lizards and turtles that will often have spinal or other problems if not exposed to the correct lighting.

You may want to ask your vet where they got their information. It might just be that I was misinformed about UV requirements for Balls, but everything I've read suggests otherwise. ;)

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I doubt that you were misinformed... this is the first I'd heard of it too, which is why i wanted to post about it here and hear some feed back from you guys :)

OK I found another source at pet store that recommends it too... the lady said that the research hadn't concluded either way and at worst the UVB lamp would help Nag eat better... does that sound correct?

I understand that it's not 100% necessary but could it be beneficial?

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Originally Posted by gibbrishclown

OK I found another source at pet store that recommends it too... the lady said that the research hadn't concluded either way and at worst the UVB lamp would help Nag eat better... does that sound correct?

I understand that it's not 100% necessary but could it be beneficial?

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Well, seeing as ball pythons in the wild are in burrows and termite mounds during daylight hours, not exposed to UVB, I don't see how it would help. Of course the pet store gal would suggest it, it's a sale! :)

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Well, seeing as ball pythons in the wild are in burrows and termite mounds during daylight hours, not exposed to UVB, I don't see how it would help. Of course the pet store gal would suggest it, it's a sale! :)

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LOL Yeah I already had bought it elsewhere (I hate giving money to that store) but she was likely projecting her voice for other reptile shoppers to hear :D

It is understandable that a BP would be expected not to use the UV light for calcium production etc etc, but there are benefits to natural sunlight that they can't get when in captivity (which would be simulated by UV light). I have seen many reptiles (snakes included) that are hurt or injured that face the wound directly towards the sun on the hottest of days when there is no reason to bask. It isn't necessary for a healthy BP i agree, but i believe from my own experience that reptiles and some amphibs that are exposed to UV light have better coloration than those that don't recieve the natural light. Think about all those stories you have heard, of WC individuals who came in with AMAZING color then after 6 months to a year the owners want to know why the color isn't so viberant. Just my :2cent:
~mike