I've been wondering if I should be providing my ball python with UV by installing a UVB bulb/light. Humans benefit from UV rays, so I'm wondering if bp's would too.

I've read that it is unnecessary, and have also read that there are some more long term benefits. I understand that they are nocturnal and are not exposed to sunlight, which is why not requiring it would make sense. However, naturally, the UV rays in sunlight can still reach these ball pythons while they're hiding away, just not as much compared to if they were out and about.

Another factor is that direct or bright light can stress your bp out, so I'm feeling more inclined not to. However, ways to work around that would be to keep it at a minimum of 12 inches away, and to keep it behind a mesh screen, so that light is less direct. And of course the UVB light would be on during the day.

Please let me know if you have or haven't used UVB lighting in your bp enclosure. If you have, it would be great if you could include the set up for it, and any differences you've noticed, good and/or bad. More opinions would be great too, just to get a larger perception about it.