WHAT KIND OF UV LAMP SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY
PANTHERCHAMELEON?
The right choice of lamps is essential for a healthy and happy pantherchameleon. In this blog post, we'll help you find the one that best provides optimal UVB radiation for your pet.
Pantherchameleons (Furcifer pardalis) are becoming increasingly popular among terrarium owners. These beautiful reptiles are known to rely on UV light for good health and proper growth, for which we recommend an UV lamp with a T5 socket in particular.
The quantity and quality of UVB radiation play an important role in the selection of a T5 UV lamp. The ideal range of UVB radiation for pantherchameleons is between 5.0 and 6.0, which is specified by the manufacturers on the fluorescent tubes as a percentage (e.g. T5 UVB 6%).
It is the UVB radiation that stimulates the body's production of vitamin D3, thus promoting the absorption of calcium. If this process is working properly, you can prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD) caused by calcium deficiency. This is why it is very important to choose the right
lamp for your chameleon.
In our previous post, we mentioned that the UV lamp should be chosen for the width of the terrarium. Manufacturers specify the length of the lamp mainly in wattage, but you can find the exact dimensions on the package or on the product data sheet (e.g. for a standard 60 cm wide
terrarium, the Arcadia T5 uvb lamp is 24W - 57 cm).
In summary, it is best to fit your pet with a UVB fluorescent tube, as unlike compact bulbs, it will provide the right UVB radiation for the full width of your terrarium. The other big advantage is that the dome has been designed with a reflective surface on the inside, so that the UVB rays emitted are directed downwards in the right direction. Unfortunately, as cheap as clay drapes may seem, they do absorb some of the rays, so avoid using them to protect the health of your pet.
Recommended T5 UVB lamp kit brands:
- Arcadia Pro T5 UVB 6%
- ZooMed Reptisun T5 5% UVB
It is important to note that both plastic and glass filter UVB rays! In this case, you will have light, but it will not provide your pet with the vital UVB, so put it on the ventilation grille on top of the terrarium! It is therefore advisable to choose a terrarium where you don't cover the whole ventilation by placing the lamp!
Note that bulbs and fluorescent tubes can only emit UV radiation for a certain period of time. Their lifetime is determined by the manufacturer and you should ensure that the fluorescent tubes are replaced at intervals that correspond to their lifetime!
