uvb introduction

[Hoof]

Hi All
I am new here. We got a Bts for our son but he has become the whole families " baby ". We have had him 5 days and after the initial couple of days where he just burrowed and we never saw him he is starting to come out and explore /feed/ bask more so I think we are going in the right direction. We set the viv up with all the really helpful info on this site so thanks to all the contributors.
He is 3 yrs old. When we got him the owner said that he had not been using the uvb light for quite some time , giving him supplements and he seemed more active without it. We have a uvb light and i want to use it but was worried as he does not seem to like it. I have been putting it on for 2 hrs a day in the morning to try and get him used to it , i now want to increase the time it is on, am i doing the right thing by trying to wean him on to more light ? Thanks in advance for any help.
Best wishes Hoof

[splashy07]

I do not use UVB for my skinks, I do not want to start an argument here as there are true believers in it but I find it unnecessary and bothersome to my animals. Even my water dragons hated it so I removed theirs. I wouldn't have used it in the first place but was recommended by breeder. Their behavior changed immediately when I shut it off. Good diet and supplementation has worked for me for over 40 years. It also bothers my eyes, therefore I would not be surprised if it bothered theirs.
Raising quickly growing babies may be assisted with UVB as it supposedly increases metabolic processes to absorb calcium/D3, but I've raised countless reptiles without it over many years.

[Hoof]

Hi Splashy

Thanks for taking the time to reply appreciate your experience and thoughts. I can see there`s mixed views about this topic from what I have read on the forum. I will see how he goes with it on over this next week.

[Justincalhoundvm]

I've raised many species of reptiles over the past few decades. I definitely believe some strongly benefit from uvb while others do well simply with dietary supplements. Additionally, I think some individuals within a species do better with or without despite what is typical for their species.

Twenty some years ago I always used uvb when raising BTS. They did great. The past year I started with tiliqua again, but this time I did it purely with supplements and no uvb. In both instances, my animals have done very well. As with many things in life, I think there are multiple ways to do it and what's right for each care giver and each animal will vary.

[mb606587]

I do not use UVB for my skinks, I do not want to start an argument here as there are true believers in it but I find it unnecessary and bothersome to my animals. Even my water dragons hated it so I removed theirs. I wouldn't have used it in the first place but was recommended by breeder. Their behavior changed immediately when I shut it off. Good diet and supplementation has worked for me for over 40 years. It also bothers my eyes, therefore I would not be surprised if it bothered theirs.
Raising quickly growing babies may be assisted with UVB as it supposedly increases metabolic processes to absorb calcium/D3, but I've raised countless reptiles without it over many years.

As have I. Seems it's becoming more contentious since I'm seeing more and more keepers insist it MUST be used. As you said, the diet is the most important factor in preventing MBD.

[splashy07]

Seems as if there are more google readers than longtime keepers out there today. The internet is a wonderful thing, but a good life lesson would be 'proceed with caution'. There is no more accurate information than that given by longtime keepers and breeders. Back in the day there was no UVB. And everything was wild caught/imported. Some lived long healthy lives, some did not. Those who did not were probably infected/stressed to begin with.
Keeping reptiles is a challenge and a learning experience to us all, regardless.
Anyone wishing to keep these interesting and wonderful creatures should not buy imports. It is a cruel inhumane process that I have witnessed first hand, and these days you can get just about anything captive bred. So, today, there is a choice. Make the right one.