Geckos and UVB

[Geck-O]

I took my leo to a vet because my friend fractured it's leg. The vet said I should put in an Exo-Terra UVB bulb so that my leo can sun itself and use the UVB to convert the calcium into something else. The problem is, my gecko is staying inside it's hide for the whole day. The vet also said to let the gecko walk as little as possible. So, should I take away its hide so that the gecko will be exposed to the UVB or should I let it stay inside?

 

[Nigel4less]

Simple Answer, Leopards Do NOT Need UV. Period!

 

[LeapinLizards]

Years ago, when I first got into leos, I had a gecko get VERY sick because I was using a bulb I didn't know was a UV bulb. Her color changed, she barely would open her eyes, she was lethargic, etc. When I took the bulb out and supplied her with just a heat mat for belly heat she made a complete turn around.

The vet who told you to get it a UVB bulb knows nothing about leopard geckos. They do not need light heat, just belly heat in order to digest their food. Your gecko is staying inside all day because they do not need UV rays...mine did the same. She actually avoided the light completely.

 

[Geck-O]

Here is the bulb I was using before I used the UVB bulb. Is it safe to use? I emits orange coloured light.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27877468@N08/2914622548/in/photostream/

Here is the UVB bulb. I would like to use it if it doesn't cause any harm towards my gecko. It emits light the colour of a halogen bulb.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27877468@N08/2914622546/

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Since leopard geckos are noturnal, their skin and eyes are not adapted for UV rays. Most reptiles bask for warmth, but most of all it is to convert UV rays through their skin to convert to Vit.D to aid in calcium absorption. Leos do not have this capability, so constant exposure to UV can actually harm them.

I say ditch the UV bulbs.

 

[LeapinLizards]

Judging by my experience, and the fact that Marcia confirms the fact that it can actually HARM the gecko, I would say definitely ditch it. If you do not have an under tank heat pad, then just get him one of those. A light is not necessary in the least. They do not need overhead light, just belly heat in order to digest food.

 

[bitterbeauty]

Your gecko just needs calcium. Take some calcium and add a few drops of water and make it into a paste and then put it on your geckos nose. Let him lick it off. Calcium will help his leg heal.

In the meantime...GET A NEW VET. He obviously does not specialize in reptiles.

 

[bitterbeauty]

.

 

[Geck-O]

Well, for every meal he eats I'm dusting the mealies in LOTS of calcium. I first wet the worm then i roll it around in a container full of calcium powder.

 

[Nigel4less]

Well, for every meal he eats I'm dusting the mealies in LOTS of calcium. I first wet the worm then i roll it around in a container full of calcium powder.

You wet the worm???
Thats an easy way to kill it

 

[catvettech]

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/skintests.htm

 

[Kellyr]

This is somewhat related ... when I took my crested gecko to a vet - he told me I needed to use a uvb light and that African animals need more heat than room temp. around 90 degrees. Cresteds are also nocturnal and they arent from Africa they are from New Caledonia an island east of the coast of Australia!!! AND cresteds temps should always be between 72-78 during the day and lower at night. Anything above 85 stresses them out and I read in a book thats the number one cause of fatality among them is treating them as tropical reps with temps too high.This was a herp vet- one I didnt go back to!!!!!!!!

 

[Scoots85]

I had a a similar experience. Took my gecko in to the vet and she recommended a UVB. I was puzzled and went to the local reptile store where the owner gave me a weird look when I told him I wanted to buy a UVB + lamp for a leopard gecko.

Even if you look at it logically it makes sense you would NOT need a UVB since leo's are nocturnal and, naturally, sleep in hiding during the day.

 

[fallen_angel]

UVB lights are used to help a reptile create Vitamin D, and this ability isn't even possible in leopard geckos. I have heard many stories of vets recommending UVB lights, it's just an indication that the vet doesn't really know what they're talking about IMO. Moreover, UVB lights are really expensive, so I wouldn't want to spend all of that money if I didn't have to.

 

[Ivyna J. Spyder]

Er, I think people are forgetting that leos are crepsucular- meaning most active at dawn and dusk. Which means they do get some sunlight- just low levels of it. Even during the day, they're could be getting a small amount of sunlight filtered through the rocks they happen to be hiding under.

That link from catvettech supports that they could benefit from *low* UVB levels. Do they need it to survive and breed? No, since many breeders keep their geckos without any UVB. But what differences would it cause...?


It would be interesting to see a good controlled study though. Two groups of leos kept in the exact same way, except one group has a low-level UVB light during the day (say, around the level you'd find at dawn and dusk) and the other with supplements only and either a regular light or none at all.

I wonder what sorts of differences you'd see?

 

[kyahbean]

So what do you do when the UTH is not keeping the tank at the desired heating levels? How do you provide extra heat without the light?

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

My Two Cents

From everything that I have read Leopard Geckos do not need UVB Light. So I would have to agree with everyone else.:main_yes:

If you want more heat in the tank and the UTH is not providing enough then, you can use a regular light bulb during the day and one of the colored ones during the evening.:main_thumbsup:

However, I am beginning to think that the key is just the belly heat. Therefore, stick the therometer into the substrate or use a noncontact therometer to determine the surface temp of the substrate to see what the temp is.:main_yes:


Finally, Getting Mealworms a Little Wet before coating. I have read on this forum in the feeding section that some people mist the Mealworms/Giant Mealworms/Super Mealworms and then coat them with calcium so that the calcium sticks to the outside. I have not tried this.

 

[kyahbean]

Hm, OK. The light I have now is just a regular 60W household light bulb. From what I understand, this doesn't have UV rays and is not harmful. I was using it for heat, as well is to simulate the night/day scenario for him. Is it important to simulate the night/day thing to keep them at a regular cycle?

I am going to get a red or black colored light so that I can keep it on later into the night and not have that bright light in there all the time, and I didn't really want to bother with two lights. Do I need to turn the regular light on in the room he is in during the day to simulate that it's day, or does that not really matter?

 

[Spooki]

i'm pretty sure a regular night/day cycle is important for geckos, it's important for just about everything else including fish.

 

[kyahbean]

i'm pretty sure a regular night/day cycle is important for geckos, it's important for just about everything else including fish.

I thought that it was, too.

I got one of those night moonlight bulbs today and I put that in. He seems to not mind it, and it's warming his cage without the harsh day bulb. I figure I'll leave the moonlight night on from early in the morning until real late at night, and then just turn on the light in the room when I leave the house so that he has the "daylight" during the day. It's great for viewing, too! He's been roaming around his cage and I get to see him and hang out with him, which he wouldn't do when the brighter light was on.