Need Information please

[dannybgoode]

Originally Posted by FWK

Lizards, Turtles, and insect eating snakes (such as the popular Rough Green Snake) need UVB in order to synthesize vitamin D3, which is needed to metabolize dietary calcium. Rodent eating snakes do not need UVB.

They don't *need* it as in won't die without but they do hugely benefit from it.

Depends on your definition of need in this respect. In my book they hugely benefit from it therefore it is a requirement.

There's lots of things we provide for other animals that they don't *need* but is still considered best practice.

[eminart]

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

They don't *need* it as in won't die without but they do hugely benefit from it.

Are there any actual scientific studies on this? I'm not disputing what you say, but if there isn't, I'd think UVB could just as likely be harmful to nocturnal animals as helpful. If they don't need it, how is it helpful? Again, I don't know. I'm asking if anyone does know these things as proven fact.

[dannybgoode]

Originally Posted by eminart

Are there any actual scientific studies on this? I'm not disputing what you say, but if there isn't, I'd think UVB could just as likely be harmful to nocturnal animals as helpful. If they don't need it, how is it helpful? Again, I don't know. I'm asking if anyone does know these things as proven fact.

Also bear in mind nocturnal means active at night. This doesn't mean a nocturnal animal necessarily hides during the day just that it's generally resting. It may well rest in the open (this most species of cat for example) and the same can apply to nocturnal snakes.

[FWK]

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

They don't *need* it as in won't die without but they do hugely benefit from it.

Depends on your definition of need in this respect. In my book they hugely benefit from it therefore it is a requirement.

Could you provide data indicating the huge benefits you suggest? Peer-reviewed publications and papers are preferred. "In my book" relays your opinion, which you are entitled to, but I do not base my husbandry techniques on opinion.

[dannybgoode]

Originally Posted by FWK

Could you provide data indicating the huge benefits you suggest? Peer-reviewed publications and papers are preferred. "In my book" relays your opinion, which you are entitled to, but I do not base my husbandry techniques on opinion.

Yes there's lots of papers. There's been a significant amount of research this field over the last couple of years and I'll put something together. I may even have chance tonight as my wife is working so I've got a bit of time.

Anecdotally, providing uv for 10 plus snakes is bloody expensive and I would not spend the money on a whim. Further i know keepers with 100+ vivs all fitted with uv. This is not a cheap undertaking or a vanity project for them either.

@eminart - Again anecdotally I've observed all my snakes most of which are nocturnal species actively basking under the uv when they have plenty of options to hide. Everyone I know who has tried uv, even if only to prove the theory wrong, has observed their snakes bask under it.

Further as it happens Francis Baines, possibly the world's foremost authority on reptiles and their use of the light spectrum (from infrared through to ultraviolet) is putting together a paper specifically on nocturnal snakes and their use of uv.