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Iguana Light 5.0 The Iguana Light is an ideal UVB source for all Iguana species, as well as other diurnal lizards. A full 5% UVB output allows vitamin D3 synthesis to occur naturally, preventing or reversing MBD and other health problems in turtles and tortoises, Bearded Dragons, Iguanas, and all other diurnal reptiles.!
FAQs:
Q: Does this lamp emit UVB?
A: Yes! This lamp provides the full visible spectrum as well as UVA and UVB. What is UVB and why does my reptile need it?
Q: How often should this lamp be replaced?
A: This lamp will provide optimum levels of UVB for 12 months so it should be replaced once a year.
Q: Does this lamp provide heat?
A: No. This lamp emits UVA and UVB without heat!
Q: How far away should this lamp be from my animal?
A: This lamp should be placed 12 inches from your animals basking site.
Q: How long should I leave this lamp on each day?
A: This lamp should be on for 10 - 12 hours a day to maintain your animals day and night cycle.
Reptiles and UVB
UVB is a necessary part of the process in which vitamin D3 is produced in the skin of humans and
animals, and is also what causes sunburn in humans. The vitamin D3 that is produced is responsible for
regulating calcium metabolism. Vitamin D3 is obtained through diet or UVB exposure. Since most reptile
species are unable to utilize dietary vitamin D3, they must have access to UVB. A lack of UVB and
vitamin D3 can ultimately result in metabolic bone disease in reptiles, and rickets in humans. Nearly all
animals that are active during the day are exposed to UVB.
In the early days of keeping reptiles, little was known about the specialized lighting requirements of the
majority of reptile species. During this time, reptiles housed indoors were not exposed to UVB, and as a
result would often develop Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). MBD causes reptiles’ bones to become soft
resulting in severe deformities of the spine, broken legs, and soft jaws. In severe cases, the internal
organs would calcify and become hard which ultimately resulted in death.
The majority of the cases of MBD occurred in Green Iguanas due to their popularity as pets, and to the
fact that UVB exposure was necessary in order for them to remain healthy. Zoo Med understood that
Iguanas kept outdoors did not develop MBD, while Iguanas fed the same diet but housed indoors did.
This prompted Zoo Med to experiment with UVB in fluorescent lighting, and ultimately led to the release
of the ReptiSun line of UVB lamps. Zoos, Veterinarians and hobbyists soon learned that all but the
worst cases of MBD were reversible upon exposure to Zoo Med’s ReptiSun lighting. In addition, reptiles
that had access to UVB from ReptiSun lamps as hatchlings never developed MBD.
We now know that most diurnal (daytime active) reptiles require UVB. Since the release of the
ReptiSun UVB lamps, dozens of scientific studies have confirmed their beneficial effect on reptiles.
From the results of these studies, we can now make recommendations on exposure times, distances,
and lamp replacement intervals.
Researchers have determined the UVB levels required by some reptile species in captivity. For tropical
species, including chameleons and Iguanas, UVB levels of 13 to 30 ¬Watts per cm2 (microwatts per square
centimeter) are recommended when lamps are used 10 to 12 hours per day. Desert species (e.g.
Bearded Dragons) can tolerate slightly higher levels from 13 to 150 ¬Watts per cm2. For all reptile species, it is
important to provide a UVB gradient that allows the reptile to adjust its UVB exposure. All reptiles
should have access to a minimum of 13 microwatts of UVB in order to synthesize vitamin D3,
metabolize calcium, and maintain healthy bone density.
Lamps that emit less than 13 microwatts at the reptiles basking site should not be used as they are
likely incapable of providing sufficient UVB. Reptiles that do not get enough UVB are in danger of
developing Metabolic Bone Disease. Reptiles also require heat in order to benefit from UVB and
synthesize vitamin D3. Levels above 150 microwatts are seen in nature, but can be dangerous in a
captive setting. Screen covers on terrariums filter out a portion of the UVB from all lamps, while glass
and most plastics filter out 100% of the UVB.
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Birds
All Glass Vivariums
