Is there a diffrence

THis question has proably been asked a couple hundred times but is there a diffence between a regular GE red light pary lights and the one you buy at a pet store specificly for reptile. I recently got a 25 wt red party light at walmart and i leave it on all the time ( so i can watch my little buddy in the dark) but he is far less active now and i never see him out of his hide Ever and i was wondering was it the light.

I got him 2 weeks ago and im really stressing out cause he hasnt ate and i have offered multiple times and he just strikes at the f/t mouse in anger never tries to eat it.
Thanks

Yes there is a difference.

(in most cases) reptile specific red bulbs use red glass and are coated with what they call "rare earth elements" which effectively block visible light waves...so you get minimal light but plenty of heat.

Your party store bulbs are typically just a normal white bulb that has been painted inside...and that does nothing to limit the visible wave lengths of light.

Snakes CAN see red light so the more light given off the more stressful it will be to your snake as they won't perceive any type of photo period. (Even though as humans the light appears the same)

Hope this helps.

should i get a moon light blub from the store and if i do can i leave that on all the time? like i do the red blub thanks

I got a 60 watt red light bulb from from www.reptilesupply.com and it's always on 24/7. My bp doesn't mind, but it's starting to get annoying. At first it was cool, but the visibility isn't that great. I think moonlights might go a bit easier on the eye and if you can you should get 2 lamps: 1 regular light bulb and another moonlight. Have them on a timer so that the regular one is on during the day and moonlight is on at night. This way you get more light during the day and get to enjoy the vivarium a bit more :) I'm speaking from personal experience tho. Yesterday I was making a video and I had to use night framing on my camera to be able to see anything with even with the red light on.

Ive had those moonlight bulbs and I think they are a complete waste of money. They look cool but every one I had didnt last for more than 2 weeks. Ive heard they do this all the time too. I think an Infrared light would be your best bet