Vet suggested UVB for Leopard gecko: Yes/No?

[l-i-z]

I went to the vet and he said she was very healthy but he said I should also
get some UVB lighting and take her outside for a few hours a couple day a week.

Is this strange? I never heard of leos needing it.

If I did happen to get a UVB bulb would 2.0 UVB be right? or should it be higher?

So is this a yes, or a no to UVB? Would it be a waste of energy and money?

 

[Yoshi'smom]

The UVB light is a hot debate and I tend to stay on the "no" side but I wouldn't take your leo outside at all. Why risk stressing your gecko out and losing it forever if it decides to pop off your hand in an attempt to find a safe and less stressful place? I've had my guy for about 2 years and he's very hand tame. I let him sit on my shoulder when I'm at the computer or reading or something but if I need to move I do it very slowly as to not scare him. So in short: No to a UVB and NO!! to taking him outside.

 

[Mardy]

Does it hurt to expose them to UVB? No.

Do captive bred and raised leopard geckos need UVB? No, you can supplement their D3/Calcium needs via vitamin supplements.

Also to elaborate on the first part, while exposing them to sunlight won't hurt them normally, there are captive bred leopard geckos that do not react to sunlight well. Albinos are a great example where the genetic mutation makes them for great pets indoors, but they won't do well outside.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

UVB is absolutely not necessary for a nocturnal gecko like a leopard gecko. In addition, high levels of uv can be harmful to their eye sight as well as their skin, especially in extra sensitive reduced melanin morphs like hypos and albinos. Unfortunately, many vets still treat all reptiles as if their care is the same as iguanas.

 

[l-i-z]

thanks

I thought so, when he said it I was like "huh?"
I was always told not to use bright lights or sunlight, well whatever.
that clears it up, thanks.

 

[l-i-z]

bulb question

So a better choice would be a black light bulb (I use one already) or red nocturnal bulb?

And would you say that leopard gecko need a day type of bulb (blue bulb) or just the light of your room?

I just ask to clarify.

 

[Hardknox]

They require no supplemental light at all. Just enough to tell the difference between day and night and even that is only slightly necessary. If you get anything, get a red bulb for your nighttime viewing but they do not need it.

Edit:Note I would not use a blacklight. Prolonged exposure can be bad for your eyes and their eyes as well.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

just checking in......

 

[eliquidmatt]

A vet also mentioned to me that UVB lighting should be used with my Leopard Geckos, and that the reason my Leo was ill at the time (he had parasites) may have been down to a lack of UV lighting... Needless to say, he's not my vet anymore

I really can't understand why this has turned into a "hot topic" among vetinary professionals. Mother nature intended for these animals to be nocturnal, are they in fact suggesting then that she screwed it up for our beloved Eublepharis?

It's ridiculous in my opinion, and as much as there is no hard evidence to prove it is harmful, it's comman sense to realize that, as a nocturnal species, it's absolutely NOT required.. period.

The introduction of this theory is only set to cause more harm than good anyway. With the growing popularity of exotic pets, and more and more children looking to buy thier first reptile, it's easy to see how something like this could spiral out of control. There are enough pet stores and so called "experts" handing out incorrect information as it is, we don't need people trying to re-write the laws of nature!