A bearded dragon’s habitat should include a UV light source, such as a UVB light or a fluorescent tube. Bearded dragons can use the sunlight from windows and skylights for some of their UV requirements, but they need a full-spectrum light source to get the optimal amount of UV. If your bearded dragon doesn’t receive enough UV from its environment, it may develop metabolic bone disease or other health problems.
In this article, you’ll learn more about how bearded dragons use the sun and what to do if they don’t get enough UV in their environment.
How Long Can Bearded Dragons Live Without UV Light?
Bearded dragons, like all other reptiles, need light to live. They need UV light in order to produce vitamin D3 which is crucial to their survival. Without it, they will not be able to survive and can’t receive the nutrients that they need. If you don’t provide enough UV light for your bearded dragon, he or she might not be able to grow and could suffer from deficiencies such as calcium, zinc, and potentially even die.
A bearded dragon can live without UV light for about 2-3 days. However, most people won’t keep their bearded dragon for that long without providing him or her with some form of lighting so it’s best to invest in some type of lighting for your pet if you plan on keeping them for a long time.
After 3 days, without any UV light, their body won’t be able to absorb calcium and other minerals properly. This will lead to them developing metabolic bone disease and other health problems.
The Importance Of Sunlight
One of the most important things bearded dragons need is sunlight. The sun gives them vitamin D, which helps them absorb calcium and phosphorous, to keep their bones strong.
Bearded dragons can use the sunlight from windows and skylights for some of their UV requirements, but they need a full-spectrum light source to get the optimal amount of UV.
The Benefits of UV Lighting for Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons rely on UV light for a few important things.
The most important of these is vitamin D3, which they need to process calcium and phosphorus in their bodies. These two minerals are essential for healthy bones, and bearded dragons can’t make vitamin D3 themselves.
UV light also helps them grow their claws and scales, and it allows them to regulate their body temperature more quickly when they’re out of the sun.
If your bearded dragons don’t get enough UV from their environment, they may develop metabolic bone disease or other health problems. This condition can cause them to become lethargic and feel pain when they move around.
If you see any signs of metabolic bone disease in your pet, be sure to take him to the vet right away so he can get treated before his condition worsens.
Why Bearded Dragons Need UV Light?
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded reptiles who require special care to maintain their health. When you have a bearded dragon in captivity, it’s important to give him what he needs to stay healthy so you can enjoy your pet longer. People often forget about the importance of providing their pets with access to adequate levels of UV in order to maintain overall health.
A bearded dragon’s habitat should include a UV light source, such as a UVB light or a fluorescent tube.
Without proper levels of UV, bearded dragons may develop metabolic bone disease or other health problems. Metabolic bone disease is an ailment that impacts the bones and can cause significant pain and suffering for your pet.
Different Kinds of UV Lighting for Bearded Dragons
There are two main types of UV lighting for bearded dragons:
UVB light: This type of light is necessary for a bearded dragon to make vitamin D3, which helps them absorb calcium and phosphorous from the food they eat. Without an adequate supply of this vitamin, they can develop the metabolic bone disease.
Fluorescent tube: A fluorescent tube provides the full-spectrum lights that bearded dragons need for their environment.
How Much UVB Light Do Bearded Dragons Need?
UVB light is a must for bearded dragons. Without it, they can develop metabolic bone disease and other health problems. The amount of UVB light that a bearded dragon needs in order to live a healthy life varies depending on their age, breed, and where they live.
If you have an adult bearded dragon, you’ll want to provide them with around 10-14 hours of full-spectrum sunlight.
If your bearded dragon is younger than one year old, then they need more UVB light than that.
What to Do If Your Dragon Doesn’t Get Enough UV Lights
If your bearded dragon doesn’t get enough UV, you may need to provide an artificial UV light source. Without it, he may develop metabolic bone disease or other health problems.
Metabolic bone disease is a disorder caused by a lack of vitamin D3 and calcium. One of the primary symptoms of this disorder is softening and weakening of the bones. The bones can become so weak that they break more easily.
Metabolic bone disease can happen if your dragon doesn’t get enough exposure to UV light as well as sunlight, so the best course of action would be to ensure he gets sufficient exposure to natural or artificial UV light sources.
Bearded dragons also need calcium for the proper development and function of their skeleton and teeth. If they don’t get enough calcium in their diet, they’re more likely to develop health issues like metabolic bone disease and tooth decay (odontoclastic resorption). It’s important to make sure they have access not only to this mineral but also enough vitamin D3 from UVB rays which helps them process it better.
So what should you do if your bearded dragon doesn’t get enough UV? You can give him supplemental UVB lighting (which has about 10-12% UVB) either with a bulb or tube that you place near him for at least 8 hours a day.
Where Should the UV Light Be?
UV light should be placed in the middle of the tank.
Bearded dragons typically bask in the sun in a natural environment, which you’ll want to replicate when setting up your bearded dragon’s habitat. You can place a UVB light source or fluorescent tube at one end of the tank and near the middle.
In this way, your pet will have a choice of basking locations based on his mood and preferences. He may prefer to bask in a sunny spot or enjoy a shaded area depending on his mood and needs for UV exposure.
What is Metabolic Bone Disease?
Metabolic bone disease is a condition that can occur when bearded dragons don’t get enough UV light in their environment. This can lead to an increased risk of developing health problems, such as metabolic bone disease, which causes weight loss and other symptoms in the dragon.
If you suspect your bearded dragon has the metabolic bone disease, bring him to an exotic animal veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
UV light is essential for bearded dragons. Without it, their skin will become too thin and their eyes will deteriorate. They will also lose the ability to produce vitamin D3 and calcium in the skin, which is necessary for them to thrive.
