How long should my reptile get natural sunlight for UVB, and in shade?

Question

Ok so I know Loki needs 10 to 12 hrs under a uvb light but how long would he need in natural sunlight? Is it the same amount of time or do I cut in half because he is getting natural uvb? And do they still receive uvb rays in the shade? I have his cage setup where he gets morning light nd evening light nd some shade in between.

Kevin Sanada, DVM · Accepted Answer

Natural sunlight can be substituted for artificial UV light as long as the light is not filtered. If the light has to travel through glass, or a mesh covering, then it will not allow UV light through and an artificial source will need to be substituted. If the sunlight is completely unobstructed, then you can subtract the amount of time that sunlight is available from the 10- 12 hours and have an artificial UV source for the rest of the time. The UV light will be limited, or nonexistent in the shade, but it's expected that he will not spend the entire day basking in UV light, so it's OK if he spends some time in the shade. Make sure that there is a good area of unobstructed light in the enclosure and he should get the necessary amount of UV rays. I hope that helps and all is well with Loki.

How long should my reptile get natural sunlight for UVB, and in shade?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

Is it normal for a pregnant guinea pig to zoom after cage cleaning?

My small pet is limping and can't bear weight. Should I see a vet?

My pet has worsening sores and scratches. Could it be an infection?

How to keep a pet mom and her newborn babies warm and calm?

What can I use to cover my hermit crab tank for low humidity?

My parrot won't stop bouncing and screaming. What's wrong with her?

Share