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Q: What are the effects of using a uvb bulb on a leo?
Posted By:

jambalaya

So I know leopard geckos are nocturnal. I know they hardly ever get to roam around the uvb since they come out at night. Nevertheless, I am  curious to know what are the effects if any for a leopard gecko or a fat tail on uvb, if any at all. I couldn't find a decent article on the internet.
I have a few leos and was thinking of buying a uvb for one of the setups just to see how it works out. I'm sure it will have no negative effects, but still curious since I know leopard geckos can come down with MBD.

The second part of my question I guess is what uvb should I use? Should I get desert strength uvb to imitate the natural day environments, or should I stick with a less uvb emitting uvb since they aren't really going to roam around in it that much anyway? I would either use the reptisun 5.0 I have for my iguana, but that emits less uvb. I also have r-zilla 50 bulbs for my beardies and really like them. So if I end up getting a higher uvb, I'd be getting those. Any suggestions? I'm just confused only because its not required so there is no definite answer for leos.
Points: 100
Topics: General Health , Caging
Tags: Caging, Habitat, Lighting, UVB
Species: Lizards > Geckos > Eublepharis macularius
Administrative: Show/Hide
Member Comment 6/17/2009 6:58:21 PM

Sparkle
I don't know anything about Leos but I did do a little research on UVB and cresteds, and it seems it could be beneficial but you have to cut back on how much D3 supplementation you give them or they can O.D. on it.
 
Member Comment 6/17/2009 7:02:45 PM

Sparkle
Part 2:  The problem with some UVB is that they kick out a lot of heat, and the smaller lizards that thrive in the 70's will bake in the upper 80's.  So you'd need a UVB bulb that doesn't emit heat, like a fluorescent.  I think Zilla makes one, it uses a circular bulb that you replace once a year...
 
Member Comment 6/17/2009 7:15:42 PM

FyreFocks
Some people think that natural uva/b will help brighten the color of their snakes or lizards. I think id have to agree. Other than that, there really isnt any benefit. If you use a uv bulb, you need to use a vitamin supplement without d3. If you dont use the buld, then you need a supplement with d3.
 
Assisted Answer 6/18/2009 10:38:37 AM

JohnJohn
I would say good uv bulbs are expensive.  Leos absolutely don't need it.  They will probably stay in their hide and not even be exposed to it much.  Mine have never had any and they are healthy, active, breeding, and have great color.

More important is to dust your food with calcium and vitamins.

Lights can be good for your own viewing, but the lizards really won't care or won't get much benefit either way.  I think anything other than a very cheap bulb would be a waist of money.....money that could be spent on more LEOS!, or crickets, or whatever.

Waste of time really.  Just my opinion.
 
Accepted Answer 6/18/2009 3:03:25 PM

CSMGecko
I use ReptiSun 5.0 for my Leos.  They are nocturnal and don't require it but the UV lights give them some D3 which they do need, if the leo decides to come out during the day.  I also use the lights to simulate day and night times.  There aren't any harmful side effects of using UVB lighting that I have found or read about.  It's really just another form of supplementation, which you could use the powder for.  I actually dust my crickets with D3 monthly and then have the ReptiSun 5.0. It is really up to you whether or not you want to use the UVB Bulbs or not but you really should use some type of lighting to simulate day and night for the leos schedule.  If you need any light bulbs, I sell on my website and I am way cheaper than going to a Pet Store.
 
Member Comment 6/18/2009 8:58:53 PM

RB3067
Not necessary. Gut load your feeders and dust with a good calcium + D3 supplement. Save your money.
 
Member Comment 6/26/2009 6:22:48 PM

Blaise and Echo
You don't need lighting for leopard geckos. For heat, you just need a good UTH for belly heat. For avoiding MBD, you need to use calcium and vitamin supplements, as was said before. If you want to have a day/night cycle, you can just open the shades in your reptile room, without sunlight falling directly on the geckos vivarium. This simulates day and night, and as long as the sunlight doesn't shine directly into the enclosure, which might cause overheating. All of my leos are thriving like this.
 
Member Comment 6/26/2009 6:44:50 PM

Sparkle
The question is NOT whether it is "needed" or not.  Obviously most people do not use UVB for leos, or cresteds or gargoyles either for that matter.  The question that is posted is, "Could it be beneficial?"  And the answer to that is, "It COULD be."  

In doing research on the particular boas I chose, one of the top breeders recommends UVB light for the boa constrictors as well.  Not because it is necessary for their health or survival, but because it could be beneficial to the well-being of the animal.  For those of us who do not choose to keep their animals in sterile, easily-cleaned, laboratory conditions, but rather try to mimic the world they would live in if they were in the wild, then certainly UVB plays a part in all that.  Even if they are only exposed to "sunlight" for an hour or so in the wild, it's still something.  So long as it doesn't hurt your animals, I think credit goes to those who go the extra mile in the care and keeping of them.

Kudos to jambalaya for going the extra mile.
 
Member Comment 1/17/2011 6:05:57 AM

abi21491

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