This page presents a number of topics explaining thescience behind the important concept of a "new era in herpetologyhusbandry. The topics can be read in sequence or randomly by clicking onthe desired topic in the following list: Active UVHeat the indoor sun Real UVB andHEAT from ONE BULB
State of the art self-ballasted mercury vapor arc-tube technologyFinally there is a solution to the most important aspect of keeping reptilesand amphibians indoors, providing what the Sun normally does. We all know howimportant this is, it is easy to see the vigor in newly imported animals and thehealth in those kept outdoors long-term. But most are indoors with noalternative but a decrease in their quality of life. Previous attempts atlighting have only left the buyer and their pet shortchanged- that is until now! UVB, UVA, LIGHT and HEAT are now available in one screw in light bulb that isscientifically proven effective in actual animals, long lasting and costeffective. Full spectrum visible light and versatility of use makes this the"all-in-one" solution to Herp lighting. We have a wide variety of UVand Heat outputs that create optimum setups for all diurnal lizards,tortoises/turtles, snakes and many frogs from 10 gallon terrariums to exhibitsize! On top of all that it can bloom orchids indoors allowing you to keephealthier and more types of exotic plants within your terrarium. Alberghi PortugalPrevious life threatening problems of: metabolic bone disease (for all ages),low appetite, slow acclimation in wild caught imports and susceptibility to somediseases, are now preventable in many species. Even healthy looking Herps willshow an immediate and long-term benefit. "Active UVHeat" the indoor sun by Wild Inside, is the onlyveterinarian proven effective answer to indoor conditions that inevitably resultin below natural levels of: Appetite, activity, skin color and Vitamin D3 in theblood/calcium absorption. Top
Why the Active UV Heat lampis an important advance.
(Satisfying Reptilian Vitamin D3 Requirements Indoors) Confusion abounds in popular magazinesregarding reptiles, lights, and vitamin D. Requirements are unknown except for afew lizards and some must get vitamin D3 from an ultra-Violet (UV) sourceinstead of the diet. Various lamps are labeled as full-spectrum whether they areor not. Light output is stated in very general terms of output but effectivedistance and exposure time are not mentioned. Direct sunlight is the ultimatesolution for maintaining proper vitamin D3 levels in diurnal (day-time) lizards.Considerations of housing or climate may limit direct sunlight exposure to partof the year or none. The best measure of any UV lamp is the ability to maintainor elevate 25 -hydroxyl vitamin D3 blood levels. This is the standard used forman and many animals. A study of vitamin D3 in large monitors in the wild andcaptivity has established normal and deficient vitamin D3 level for thesespecies. Monitors in the normal group had direct sunlight access part to all ofthe year or other significant UV exposure such as UV-permeable acrylic skylightsin their housing area. Monitors in the deficient group were inevitably keptindoors with no artificial UV source or with perhaps an UV source too far awayto be effective for the animal. Thus a solid standard could be used inevaluating the effects of Active UV Heat in vitamin D3 "synthesis for thesespecies. A female crocodile monitor (Varanussalvador) had no Ultraviolet (UV) light source or dietary vitamin D3supplementation for several years. The animal was exposed to a 300-watt floodActive UV Heat bulb for four months at a ceiling high distance (2.0 to 2.2meters). 2.5-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels were low-normal (100 nmol/L) as comparedto other large monitors with exposure to direct sunlight. Then the animal wasgiven UV through a focus-spot 160-watt Active UV Heat bulb at the same distance(2.0-2.2 meters) and vitamin D3 blood levels were measured again 30 days later.Vitamin D3 levels had continued to climb to mid-normal range (157 nmol/L). Dailyexposure averaged 8-10 hours. There were other significant improvements in this animal condition. A strong improvement occurred in the animalappetite to include only balanced prey items, which had not been previouslypossible. This species yellow spots became a bright gold as achieved withexposure to abundant natural sunlight. Three other crocodile monitors in thiscollection also demonstrated enhance natural colors under these lights. In oneother zoo both a water monitor (Varanus salvador) and Komodo dragon (Varanuskomodoensis) have been documented with normal to fairly high levels of vitaminD3 with use of the Active UV Heat lamp at distances of 4-7 feet away. Consistently there has been a need inreptile exhibit lighting for a bulb that could project ultraviolet for somedistance (many fluorescent UV-B lights project over an effective distance ofonly 12-18 inches). It would be even better to utilize incandescent fixtures.The Active UV Heat bulb does this on a real time basis for large monitors. Addedadvantages of heat and excellent visible-light spectrum make this bulb ideal formost reptile enclosures. Anecdotal experience with appetite problems thatresolved after lamp use with a crocodile monitor and python would suggestproblem feeders in variety of reptile species would benefit from it use. --- Don Gillespie, DVM El Paso Zoo Top
The purpose of the following excerpt is to the characterize solar ultraviolet radiation and indicate the effective amounts impacting our sun loving animals ;i.e. what are the wavelengths and relative magnitudes of such radiation that should be provided if an effective attempt is to be made at replicating their in the wild environment. The Active UVHeat bulb is designed specifically to provide these wavelengths and magnitudes as well as the natural visible spectrum and heat.
Diffey, B. L. 1991. Solar ultraviolet radiation effects on biological systems. Review in Physics in Medicine and Biology 36 (3): 299-328. 1. Ultraviolet climatology The Sun is responsible for the development and continued existence of life on Earth. We are warmed by the Sun's infrared rays and we can see with eyes which respond to the visible part of the Sun's terrestrial spectrum. More importantly, visible light is an essential component of photosynthesis, the process whereby plants, which are necessary for man's nutrition, derive their energy. ... The ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum is subdivided into three bands termed UVA, UVB and UVC. The subdivisions are arbitrary and differ somewhat depending on the discipline involved. Environmental photo biologists normally define the wavelength regions as: UVA, 400-320 nm; UVB, 320-290 nm; and UVC, 290-200 nm. The division between UVB and UVC is chosen as 290 nm since ultraviolet radiation (UVR) at shorter wavelengths is unlikely to be present in terrestrial sunlight, except at high altitudes (Henderson 1977). The choice of 320 nm as the division between UVB and UVA is perhaps more arbitrary. Although radiation at wavelengths shorter than 320 nm is generally more photo biologically active than longer wavelength UVR, recent advances in molecular photobiology indicate that a subdivision at 330-340 nm may be more appropriate (Peak and Peak 1986). 1.1. Atmospheric ozone The quality and quantity of ultraviolet radiation at the Earth's surface depend on the energy output of the Sun and the transmission properties of the atmosphere. From a biological viewpoint, UVB radiation is by far the most significant part of the terrestrial ultraviolet spectrum and the levels of radiation in this waveband reaching the surface of the Earth are largely controlled by ozone, a gas which comprises approximately one molecule out of every two million in the atmosphere Ozone (O3) is created by the dissociation of oxygen (O2) by short wavelength UVR ( < 242 nm) in the stratosphere at altitudes between about 25 and 100 km. Absorption of UVR at wavelengths up to about 320 nm converts the O3 back to O2 and O (Chapman 1930).Dissociation of O3 is the mechanism responsible for preventing radiation at wavelengths less than about 290 nm from reaching the Earth's surface. ... 1.2. Factors affecting terrestrial UVR The spectral irradiance of UVR at the Earth's surface is modified by temporal, geographical and meteorological factors (Frederick et al 1989). In the ultraviolet, spectral irradiance falls by a factor of only two or three as the wavelength decreases from 400 to 320 nm at solar altitudes higher than 20deg., and then drops rapidly by three orders of magnitude or more from 320 to 290 nm as absorption by stratospheric ozone becomes important. 1.2.1. Time of day. About 20-30% of total daily UVR is received one hour either side of midday in summer, with 75% between 9 am and 3 pm... In temperate regions the biologically damaging UVR reaching the Earth's surface shows strong seasonal dependence. However, seasonal variation is much less nearer the equator. 1.2.3. Geographical latitude. Annual UVR flux decreases with increasing distance from the equator. Very roughly, the annual number of minimal erythema doses (MED) on an unshaded, horizontal surface at mid-latitudes (20-60deg.) can be estimated as (Diffey 1990) Annual MED = 2 x 10[4] exp(-latitude/20) 1.2.4. Clouds. Clouds reduce solar irradiance at the Earth's surface although changes in the ultraviolet region are not as great as those of total intensity, since water in clouds attenuates solar infrared much more than UVR. ... Light clouds scattered over a blue sky make little difference to UVR intensity unless directly covering the sun, whilst complete light cloud cover reduces terrestrial UVR to about one half of that from a clear sky. Even with heavy cloud cover the scattered ultraviolet component of sunlight (often called skylight) is seldom less than 10% of that under clear sky (Paltridge and Barton 1978). However, very heavy storm clouds can virtually eliminate terrestrial UVR even in summertime (Diffey 1988). 1.2.5. Surface reflection. Reflection of UVR from ground surfaces, including the sea, is normally low (<7%). However gypsum sand reflects about 25% of incident UVB and fresh snow about 30% (Doda and Green 1980, 1981), although other authors (McCullough 1970, Blumthalerand Ambach 1985) have reported that the UVB reflectance of fresh snow exceeds 80%. 1.2.6. Altitude. In general, each 1 km increase in altitude increases the ultraviolet flux by about 6% (Cutchis 1980). Conversely, places on the Earth's surface below sea level are relatively poorer in UVB content than nearby sites at sea level. This is strikingly apparent around the Dead Sea in Israel, 400 m below sea level (Kushelevsky and Slifkin 1975). Top
DEVELOPING A GUIDELINE FOR THE MINIMUM UV NEEDED FORSUN-LOVING REPTILES.HOW MUCH UV EXISTS IN DIRECT SUN AND IN THE SHADE? Environmental conditions in the wildfor reptiles are not simple black and white situations like they have been forindoor cage setups. In the past simply, providing a hot and cool side of thecage with very low levels of UV from a fluorescent tube, spread out evenly, wasthe only kind of setup.Studies demonstrate significant solar UV levels exist throughout the day inboth direct sun and shade. This exposure is due to sunlight received as bothdirect radiation and diffuse radiation. The reflected levels of UVA andUVB in the shade, are five times higher than the best fluorescent tubesoutput. Since sun-loving reptiles spend most of their time during the day either infull sun or nearby shade, these shade levels of UV help in developing aguideline on what minimum UV should be provided for indoor reptiles. Measurements taken by DavidKrughoff www.myiguana.com with a hand held photodiode radiometer on a clear day, 6/29/00, at Hoyleton Illinois USA
In the sun | Time of day/ UVB (uWatts cm-2) | | 7 am / 12 | 1 pm / 269 PEAK | | 8 am / 74 | 2 pm / 262 | | 8 am / 74 | 3 pm / 239 | | 9 am / 142 | 4 pm / 187 | | 10 am / 192 | 5 pm / 131 | | 11 am / 233 | 6 pm / 61 | | 12 am / 256 | 7 pm / 17 |
In Cool Shade
(not diffuse shade, 4 from direct sun in complete shade)
| Time of day / UVB (uWatts cm-2) | | 1 pm / 54 | | 4 pm / 30 | | 5 pm / 22 |
Excerpts from:
DIFFUSE COMPONENT OF THE SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION IN TREE SHADE A.V. Parisi, M.G. Kimlin, J.C.F. Wong, M. Wilson Centre for Astronomy and Atmospheric Research, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, 4350, Australia. Comments added by Wild Inside are in italics.
INTRODUCTION - UV exposure is due to sunlight received as both direct and diffuse radiation.
- This diffuse radiation may constitute a significant component to the UV exposure received by eyes and skin as it is incident from all directions and difficult to minimize with the usage of hats, tree shade and shade structures as it can reach surfaces shaded from the direct sun light.
- Others have measured the spectral global and diffuse solar ultraviolet radiation. The diffuse UV increases with decreasing wavelength (UVA wavelengths are longer than UVB) due to the stronger scattering at the shorter wavelengths.
- In tree shade, a larger proportion of the UV exists compared to that in full sun may be as a result of the diffuse component ... adding to the total UV amount from direct sunlight areas). However, no previous research has considered the diffuse UV irradiances in tree shade.
- This paper presents: the results of quantitative measurements of the diffuse erythemal* (a way of quantifying UVB) and diffuse UVA (320 to 400 nm) at ground level on a horizontal plane at a Southern Hemisphere sub-tropical forest floor. This paper has provided the first set of quantitative data of diffuse erythemal UVB and UVA in tree shade at a sub-tropical Southern Hemisphere latitude.
CONCLUSIONS - Over the summer, approximately 60% of the erythemal UV*(UVB) radiation in the tree shade is due to the diffuse component. Similarly, approximately 56% of the UVA radiation in the tree shade is due to the diffuse component.
- In the tree shade these diffuse UV percentages are relatively constant from the morning to noon to afternoon periods. In comparison, in full sun, there is a decrease in the percentage diffuse UV from morning to noon to afternoon.
- The exposures to diffuse UV on a horizontal plane were measured in the tree shade.
- The high diffuse UV component in the shade may result in high UV exposures to not only parts of the body on a horizontal plane that are not protected, but also, equally high UV irradiances to parts of the body, including the eyes and face, that are not UV protected.
*UV Erythemal action spectrum for humans has been employed widely forassessing the UV effect on human skin. The value of the sensitivity isnormalized to unity at 298 nm (the UVB wavelength also most efficient forVitamin D3 synthesis). Top
Blood studies determine the minimum levels ofUVB exposure required
for effective health improvement.luxury hotels in PalermoBeth Jo Schoeberl, Tropics Zoologist, Minnesota Zoological Garden writesthe following
on her Active UVHeat experiences:
5/23/99 I am writing this to pass on my experience using "Active UVHeat"here at the zoo. In 1995 the Minnesota zoo acquired a pair of adult Komododragons from Indonesia. The animals are housed year round in our indoor tropicsexhibit. The animals adjusted well to their new home. They showed courtshipbehaviors the first year, ate well, and were fairly active. By the third year atour facility we were noticing diminished breeding behaviors and began wonderingif the light levels were just not adequate. We collected blood samples and onthe advice of Don Gillespie DVM we sent the samples to Michigan State Universityto check 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D3 levels. The results came back that both animals were deficient ( male 23, female17 nmol/L). Don told us about the "Active UVHeat" bulbs. We had beenfrustrated with the fluorescent UVB bulbs on the market and thought these mightbe worth a try. We started using the 275 watt flood light in holding and onexhibit. We checked D3 levels on these animals repeatedly over the next severalmonths. Both animals levels improved within a month. The male had outdoor accesswith natural sunlight that next summer and quickly resumed normal levels of D3200 nmol/L plus. The female had only the bulb and some oral supplements ofcalcium citrate with Vitamin D3. Her levels improved to over 180 nmol/L. Both have been maintained in their indoor exhibit October 1998 through May1999 with only the bulbs ( I am currently using the 275 watt floods in theholding and the 160 watt spot focus on exhibit.) We recently rechecked the males blood levels of D3 and the results cameback greater than 250 nmol/L. We are very pleased with these results. The female will be checked withinthe next few months. I am optimistic her results will be equally favorable asher appetite and behavior have been excellent over the past year. We also used "Active UVHeat" on a female water monitor. Herbeginning D3 levels were 50 nmol/L. We collected blood samples one month afterproviding her with a 275 watt flood and her levels improved to 120 nmol/L. We also has a 30 plus year old Burmese python that been off feed for 18months. I provided him with the 275 watt flood and he immediately moved over tolie under it. He was eating again within a week. I am very pleased with the results Ive seen with this product. I willcontinue to encourage other animal caregivers to try this product. Sincerely, Beth Jo Schoeberl, Tropics Zoologist, Minnesota Zoological Garden Top | 
