Lighting.
All reptiles in captivity will benefit from a day/night cycle and a standard 12 hours on, 12 hours off is a good place to start. A day/night cycle is beneficial for the overall physiology of your reptile, especially considering that reptiles are nocturnal and often hunt and increase their activity when the lights go out. Additionally, utilizing the correct intensity of light for your species of reptile will have health benefits by aiding in the absorption of vitamin D3 and calcium, resulting in strong, healthy bones and musculature. The type of light required depends on the needs of your reptile. The use of a light timer is also highly recommended.
What kind of lighting does my reptile need?
Firstly, you’ll need to determine if your reptile is a terrestrial or arboreal animal. Locale specific information is necessary to determine the exact husbandry requirements for your specific reptile. Once you have that information at hand, you can make an informed decision. There are several lighting options available in the reptile market, from compact fluorescent bulbs, linear fluorescent tubes, Mercury Vapor bulbs to LED light panels. Ultimately, you’ll need a light that provides your reptile with the exact daylight requirements necessary for your species. Generally speaking, arboreal species commonly don’t require high amounts of UV light. Dwelling high in tree canopies, dense foliage tends to block a lot of available UV light and it’s largely accepted that arboreal species will thrive on a T5 high-output linear fluorescent tube/bulb with an output of 2.4% – 6% UVB, commonly known as 5.0 Daylight. Terrestrial or ground dwelling species may have a variety of lighting needs, desert dwellers commonly require high output UVA/UVB, (10.0–14% or UVI 4–6) and a bright, visible light of approximately 5500K–6500K, mimicking the harsh midday sun, commonly known as 10.0 Daylight.
Timers.
The use of a timer is highly recommended. This will allow you to set the daylight on/daylight off parameters and walk away. Automating daylight on/daylight off is much easier than doing it manually and a timer will be well worth the investment. A variety of timers are available at most hardware stores across the province.
