Description

Exo Terra Reptile UVB150 Desert Terrarium Bulb – 13 Watt

The Exo Terra Reptile UVB150 Desert Terrarium Bulb – 13 Watt is designed for reptiles that inhabit desert environments and require higher levels of UVB radiation for their well-being. Here’s a breakdown of the key features:

UVB Output: The Exo Terra Reptile UVB150 bulb emits a high level of UVB radiation, which is important for reptiles as it helps them synthesize vitamin D3 in their skin. Vitamin D3 is crucial for calcium metabolism and overall health.

Desert Environment Simulation: The bulb is specifically designed for desert-dwelling reptiles. Reptiles in desert environments are exposed to intense sunlight with high UVB levels, and this bulb aims to replicate that natural sunlight to ensure the well-being of desert reptiles in captivity.

UVB Penetration through Screens: The bulb is effective even when used in terrariums with denser screen covers. Denser screens can reduce UVB penetration, but this bulb’s high UVB output compensates for that. It’s noted that some dense screens can filter out up to 50% of UVB rays, so using a bulb with a high UVB output is essential to ensure proper exposure.

Vitamin D3 Photosynthesis: The high UVB output leads to a significant conversion of provitamin D3 in the reptile’s skin to active vitamin D3. This is essential for calcium absorption, which in turn helps prevent metabolic diseases like metabolic bone disease (MBD) in reptiles.

Effective Range: The bulb is effective up to a distance of 20 inches. This means that the UVB radiation it emits can adequately reach reptiles positioned within that range in the terrarium.

Spectrum Update: The bulb is noted to be a new spectrum version, formerly known as the Repti Glo 10.0. This implies that it has undergone improvements in terms of its spectrum output to better match the natural sunlight found in desert environments.

It’s important to note that while UVB lighting is crucial for the health of many reptiles, including desert species, proper usage and positioning of the bulb within the terrarium are important factors. The distance between the bulb and the reptile, as well as the duration of exposure, should be carefully considered to avoid overexposure or underexposure to UVB radiation. Regularly replacing the bulb according to the manufacturer’s recommendations is also essential to maintain its effectiveness.