Quote Originally Posted by OctagonGecko729 View Post
Where have you found the research on the UVB?

I had previously thought that UVB wasn't necessary but in the last year ran across a few folks who have been using UVB with success. I personally just D3 every feeder that I throw in but I did notice more activity out of my Sav when I put a UVB in for several weeks. This is all anecdotal though of course.
I don't think that any formal study has ever been done on the effects of UVB on monitor lizards but I have read accounts from many well informed long term keepers on other forums who have successfully raised multiple monitors of different species from hatchlings to adults with no UVB. I don't actually know of anyone who uses UVB other than Infernalis who got UVB tube bulbs on sale cheaper than fluorescent tube bulbs although they are too high to really be giving off any benefit. I think that bright lighting contributes a fair bit to activity so that could possibly be the benefit that you were seeing. Regardless, Extra activity does not constitute it being necessary although if you have the bulbs there's no reason to not use them.