Proper lighting is just one step of keeping your reptile happy.
In addition, proper lighting can keep your reptile healthy.
Specific disease, such as osteoporosis, can sometimes be traced back to a problem with lighting.
There are also studies that suggest that proper lighting plays a role in providing overall immunity for your pet's health and well being.
Like most animals, pet reptiles need regular cycles of light and dark for optimal health.
How much light does your pet reptile need? Specific recommendations based on studies of captive reptiles do not exist as such.
However, we can look to the animal's natural climate for a good rule of thumb.
If your pet is a native of a tropical or subtropical climate, an average of about 10 hours of daylight in the winter and about 14 hours of daylight in the summer is common.
For pets from temperate areas, about 8 hours of daylight during the winter and about 16 hours of daylight in the summer is common.
Mimicking natural day and night cycles will also help encourage your pets to breed, though inadequate lighting should never be used to discourage breeding (separate cages are better for that).
One of the first popular lights for reptiles was the Vita-Lite® lamp which was made by the DuroTest Corporation, and it was the most popular choice for reptiles until 1990.
Its manufacturers called it a "full-spectrum" light, indicating that it produced visible and UV light similar to that of natural sunlight.
The "full-spectrum" label these days does not necessarily mean a light emits UV light, so always read the label carefully if your pet needs UV light as most reptiles do.
There are two types of Ultraviolet reptile lighting: A and B.
Ultraviolet A is blacklight.
While there is no standard recommendation for this light in captive reptiles, it has been shown in the natural environment to promote social behaviors.
Ultraviolet B is required so that animals may produce the Vitamin D they need for proper health.
Reptiles do a good job of regulating their Ultraviolet B exposure if they have a place to retreat to, such as a cool, shady enclosure.
Nocturnal animals typically do not require Ultraviolet light as exposure to it is not a part of their natural environment.
(There is a third type of Ultraviolet light known as Ultraviolet C, but it is harmful.
) Interestingly, the range of light that humans can see is much smaller than what reptiles can see.
Their vision extends into the thermal spectrum.
Consider that when providing light for your pet, and provide it with all the light it needs to fully enjoy its life with you.
More is not always better, though, so do not bombard your pet with unnecessary light.
Ultraviolet lights can begin to dim without our being able to detect it, so be sure to replace ultraviolet lights every 9 to 12 months for your pet's optimal health.
Any light source should be positioned so that the reptile cannot come into direct contact with it.
Otherwise your pet could be burned.
Reptile lights can generate a considerable amount of heat in some cases, and you should avoid burning yourself as well.