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 #2070255


Mr.anole
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 Is This TRUE!!!

i went to petco and the guy there said i dont need UVB,he said all i really need is just a heat lamp so i got a 75 watt,cause he said thats all i really need,IS THIS TRUE?!
09/10/09  11:19am

 #2070275


Copacabana
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   Message To: Mr.anole   In reference to Message Id: 2070255


 Is This TRUE!!!

No, it is not true. Independent university studies have proven that anoles, among other reptiles, require UVB. In its absence, anoles cannot properly process calcium and often develop bone disease (MBD). I would recommend a ReptiSun 5.0 fluorescent tube and a fluorescent fixture. I don’t know what enclosure size you have, but with a 75 watt bulb I do hope you are monitoring the temperature. These are things you should have figured out and tested before you bought your anoles.



09/10/09  12:33pm

 #2070291


Draconiz666
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   Message To: Copacabana   In reference to Message Id: 2070275


 Is This TRUE!!!

research really is a necessity. i researched reptiles for a long time before going with anoles and gathering as much information about their care as possible - and even then i think theres a lot to be learnt that i dont know yet. to be honest i dont think anyone knows EVERYTHINg and theres always scope to learn more and fine tune your knowledge.

theres a small pet shop near me that reckon anoles like to bite the heads off adult crickets and eat them later! in reality, if it ain’t kicking or wriggling they’re not interested and easting something too big can choke them - in short - dont believe everything a pet shop says!!
09/10/09  01:21pm

 #2070292


Atrax27407
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   Message To: Copacabana   In reference to Message Id: 2070275


 Is This TRUE!!!

There is an alternative to UVB lighting but it requires an inordinate amount of work and consistancy. Some of my German friends who breed various species have been able to bypass the UVB requirement by supplementing their Anoles’ diet with DAILY calcium supplements (either calcium lactate or calcium carbonate). The problem is that you must supplement each and every day without failure and you must get the dosage correct. It is much easier to use a UVB light source by using a UVB tube (not a coil). This method is best used by experienced keepers only.
09/10/09  01:25pm

 #2070308


Tiari
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   Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 2070292


 Is This TRUE!!!

Don’t let experience prove you wrong. Luckily I was able to save my Anole madison and reverse Metabolic Bone Disease by getting him the correct lighting and with calcium injections from my herp vet. They DO need UVB light. The pet store people have no idea how to raise or care for the animals they sell, they really don’t.

Be careful with the 75 watt bulb, that may be way too high, and you might inadvertently cook your anole’s. Check the temp regularly, if its too hot go down in wattage.

Anole’s need UVA (the basking light) and UVB, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
09/10/09  02:00pm

 #2070362


Atrax27407
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   Message To: Tiari   In reference to Message Id: 2070308


 Is This TRUE!!!

Any light bulb that produces visible light and heat (like a regular incandescent light bulb) also emits UVA. That radiation wave length is what we perceive as heat and light. There is no need for a specialty basking bulb - any regular light bulb will do.
It is the distance and temperature that determines the correct wattage of a light used for heat. A 75-Watt might be just fine if it is the proper distance to provide a 90-degree temperature at the basking spot. You can adjust the distance (and maybe wattage) until you achieve the correct temperatures. I have a wide range of light bulbs available from 60 to 100 Watts and swap them out throughout the year depebding on the ambient room temperature and the temperature at the basking area. They are all suspended from a light bar above the enclosures which allows me to adjust the distance as well.
Generally, it is more convenient and safer to simply provide a proper UVB level.
09/10/09  03:39pm

 #2070501


Tiari
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   Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 2070362


 Is This TRUE!!!

Sorry Atrax, I wasn’t clear, your right a 75 watt could be fine, I just went with the assumption that most place the hood directly on the cover screen. Mine sits atop the cover, and that one has a 40 watt, the raised one (six inches over tank) has a 40 as well to keep temp up but still within range on the cooler side.

Placing a 75 or 100 watt directly on the screen I’ve seen melt and warp cheaper screen covers, as well as nearly cook anole’s in shallow enclosures. Its something to keep in mind when selecting light.
09/10/09  08:50pm

 #2070568


Atrax27407
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   Message To: Tiari   In reference to Message Id: 2070501


 Is This TRUE!!!

It is risky to place the light used for heating directly on the screen top for a couple of reasons:

1) The screen directly under and in contact with the light or the cover around the light may become hot enought to cause thermal burns should the Anole come in contact with the screen.

2) The Anole may directly contact the bulb fixture with its claws and/or toes through the screen top. This is particularly true if the mesh size is the standar 1/8".

A bar for hanging lights can be easily and cheaply made out of a few bits of 1" X 2" lumber, a couple of L-brackets, and some screws. Simply attach the brackets on the inside of suitably long pieces of 1" X 2" with the angles facing inward. Attach a crossbar the same length as the enclosure and slide the creation under the enclosure. The enclosure’s weight will keep it in place. Hang some clamp lamps from it and adjust distance and wattage for temperature. Oh yes, you can paint or stain the lumber beforehand for aesthetics if you wish. There are other mods that come to mind for making everything adjustable as well. The one I have on my 40-gallon has three clamp lamps with 60-Watt bulbs attached (for the summer months) and a 3-1/2" computer "muffin fan" set to exhaust air from the enclosure for ventilation and air flow.



09/10/09  10:59pm

 #2074598


Syders
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   Message To: Atrax27407   In reference to Message Id: 2070568


 Is This TRUE!!!

wouldn’t a hood prevent unnecssary substances from getting in the enclosure? (such as airfreshener,dust,bugs etc.)
09/21/09  04:38pm

 #2074630


Atrax27407
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   Message To: Syders   In reference to Message Id: 2074598


 Is This TRUE!!!

Not if you provide proper ventilation via a mesh or screen top.
09/21/09  05:19pm

 #2078853


Anole_lover_16
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   Message To: Mr.anole   In reference to Message Id: 2070255


 Is This TRUE!!!

I think from the other posts your question has been answered however.

Research before you purchase your anoles because people that work at petstores probably know less or the same as you do about anoles. I once asked how big an anoles cage has to be (just to see her response) She replied with "well they are small lizards so a small cage works" She then showed me a cage that was about 6 gallons. I told her off and made a complaint to the store as most of their lizards were being kept in a cage smaller than 10 gallons with up to 10 lizards in a cage. Moral of the story, most pet stores don’t know anything about reptiles.
09/30/09  07:30pm


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