UVA/UVB/Full spectrum for snakes?

[ConcinusMan]

They say it's not necessary, or beneficial to provide full spectrum/UVA/UVB lighting for snakes, especially those that don't generally bask, or those that are crepuscular or nocturnal. I beg to differ. There's more to it than just UV exposure.

My concinnnus got full spectrum lighting inside, and summer basking quarters outside during the summer. They lived to be 18 and 21 years old.

So now I got a Puelban milk snake. (I know, it's not a garter, but I'm making a point here) Every husbandry tip I can find says that these snakes do not need UV lighting, and probably won't use it anyway since they are crepuscular or mainly nocturnal and do not like bright light. Native habitat is arid, high mountain, Southern Mexico.

Anyway, with only dim ambient natural light coming in through a window, this snake hid most of the time, only rarely coming out after dark. I got (practically stole) a couple of Reptisun 10.0 bulbs (15watt linear florescent) for $3 each and started using it on her enclosure for 12 hours a day. I did not change the day/night cycle, and I did not change the temperatures in any way. Night get's down to 65 or so, and daytime gradient is 70-85. Flash forward 5 days into using UV lighting:

She's much more active, day and night. She does sit out under the bright light, warming herself on the undertank heater. She eats with more enthusiasm.(around sundown) Her attitude about being touched/held has improved. She actually watches me and the dogs during the day, instead of cowering and hiding, which is nice 'cause she's really nice to look at. Overall, she's acting like a snake should act!

I do acknowledge that the same thing could possibly happen without any UVB/UVA output, and just full spectrum visible light with a regular day/night cycle, but until I see evidence that it (UV radiation) is harmful, the lighting will stay. If it bothers her, I figure she'll hide from it, but that's not happening. Just the opposite is happening, and this is from a crepuscular / nocturnal species. Just imagine how your diurnal garters could benefit from the right lighting spectrum!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Hmmm, interesting observations. I don't use many UV bulbs in my snakeroom, but I will say this: I DO provide, and encourage all keepers to provide their garter and water snakes with at least a full spectrum light, even if it does not give off heat. I have witnessed over and over that this has a dramatic effect on the activity levels as well as the eating habits of my snakes. I generally provide light of some sort to mostly all of my snakes, some tanks directly, and some are indirect. The ones that get the direct light are the snakes that seem to really change their habits if they don't have it, like the blacknecks, the water snakes and the younger garters.

[ConcinusMan]

So yeah, you don't necessarily need to run out and get a 10.0 UVB bulb. Definitely not. The only reason I went so high on the UV was the price! Geez $3? Grabbed them up. Also, the light is sitting on top of the fine screen, so the floor of the tank isn't getting all that much actual UV. About half I would say is blocked. But anyway, a much cheaper bulb that has a nicely balanced visible spectrum, and isn't too bright should still have quite a positive psychological effect on any of your snakes regardless of their day/night preference.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

I have a Night Snake named "Hypsi" I caught almost 2 years ago. During the first couple of months she did not eat a thing. All I had was a heat cord and whatever natural light came into the room. I thought, "It's a night snake! It doesn't come out in the day-time!." Because of feeding problems, I decided to give her a regular 25W bulb and put it on a timer. Presto! She started eating (and she didn't do any basking though, the heat cord helped with that!). I believe this reflects a need for animals to be aware of the daily and seasonal cycles. All my snakes are now on lamps (even if it's just a low-watt UVA) that are on timers, which I adjust monthly to fit the seasons.

[ConcinusMan]

Excellent idea. Kinda nails my point. Get some full spectrum light (even if it has little or no UV) in there folks, even if you already have a basking light. Put it on a timer if necessary, and keep your day length to correspond with the season/latitude of your snake's natural habitat.