How Much UVB Does my Reptile Need. The UV-Tool, a Guide to the Selection of UV Lighting for Reptiles and Amphibians in Captivity

Abstract. Guidance is almost non-existent as to suitable levels of UV lightng for reptles and amphibians, or how to achieve satsfactory UV gradients using artfcial lightng. The UV-Tool is a working document that seeks to address this problem, by considering the range of UV experienced by each species in the wild. The UV-Tool contains an editable and expanding database of the microhabitat requirements and basking behaviour of reptle and amphibian species, as derived from feld studies, or inferred from observed behaviour in captvity. Since an animal’s UV-B exposure is determined by its behaviour within its natve microhabitat, estmaton of its natural range of daily UV-B exposure is then possible. The current version of the UV-Tool assigns 254 species to each of four ‘zones’ of UV-B exposure (Ferguson
zones) based upon UV-index measurements. Once the likely UV requirement of any species of reptle or amphibian is ascertained, the next step is to plan safe but effectve UV gradients within the captve environment. To do this requires knowledge of the UV spectrum and output of the lamps to be used. The UV-Tool therefore includes test reports and UV-index gradient maps for commercially available UV-B lightng products, and a guide to selecton of appropriate lamps for use in vivaria and in larger zoo enclosures. There are reports on 24 different products in the current version of the UV-Tool. This document has been compiled by members of the Britsh and Irish Associaton of Zoos and Aquaria
(BIAZA) Reptle and Amphibian Working Group (RAWG) with contributons from zookeepers and herpetologists from the UK and abroad. Further input is welcome and encouraged.