Let There Be Light

 "Let There Be Light"

- The Bible, Genesis 1:3

Of course, the Good Lord never specified the type of light that he required.  The angels who would later be assigned to provide care for the newly-created reptiles would have to make it up as they go along.

Lighting and heating are two of the most important factors in taking care of reptiles.  They are often treated as being interchangeable by novice keepers - both coming from a lamp overtop the cage.  While it's true that a single bulb can give off both heat and light, however, they are very different.  Temperature is very important for cold-blooded reptiles, with many species benefiting from having access to a high-temperature basking spot of 110 degrees or warmer, as well as cooler places to retreat to.  What light provides the animal isn't as readily understood at a first glance.

Infrared light provides reptiles with warmth.  Visible light allows visibility and helps to guide their behavior and circadian rythytm.  Both are important.  Further down the spectrum, what is perhaps most important to reptiles is ultraviolet light - UVA, UVC, and especially UVB.  

UVB helps regulate a reptile's synthesis of Vitamin D3, which results in calcium absorption into bone.  Without it, the animal can eat as much calcium as it wants to, but the mineral will not make its way into the bone, and the animal will be weak.  One of the most common medical problems seen in pet reptiles is metabolic bone disease, caused by a deficiency of this vitamin.  It's sometimes called rubber jaw, because in severe cases the animal's jaws can be bent and wobbly like rubber.

Reptile Lighting Information

Here's a great detailed report of the importance of proper lighting for reptiles, which is much better than anything I'm going to be able to write.  What is important to remember is that lighting and temperature are probably the two most important factors in determining the health of a reptile, whether it is a personal pet or a zoo animal.  If those two factors are correct for the species, you're 99% of the way there to keeping it healthy and happy.  It's no surprise that being a reptile keeper involves spending a lot of time with a temp gun and a spectrometer to make sure that these factors are kept in an ideal range.