Do captive Correlophus ciliatus require UVB? And are they thought to be nocturnal or crepuscular?
I am writing a paper on whether Crested geckos require UVB lighting as part of their husbandry, any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi Nicholas,
Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) are considered crepuscular lizards, active at dusk and dawn. You can find information stating they do not require UVB light if fed a diet that contains Vitamin D3. However, you can also find they may benefit from low-level UVB (5%UVB tubes, no reflectors). Actually, there are some reports showing that providing UVB fluorescent tubes as daytime background lighting correlates with observed improvements in fertility and health. Nevertheless, their skin is extraordinarily sensitive to UVB light and very low levels can enable large quantities of vitamin D3 to be produced. In captivity, this would suggest that although their diet can normally provide all the D3 they need, very brief daily exposure to low levels of UVB might be beneficial.
You can take a look at the following resource in order to get a better insight on the subject!
Hope it helps!
Good luck!
Mariana
Thank you Mariana,
My pilot research is into whether captive C. ciliatus require UVB, the majority of husbandry sheets state that it is not required, however, I believe that now they are regarded as being crepuscular they should be provided with some form of D3, whether this is via a light source or supplements.
I am currently carrying out data collection of 10 geckos, 5 under UVB and 5 with supplements, I am measuring their activity by 24 hour recording and by measuring growth and health.
I am also trying to collect faecal samples from both subject groups, this will be used to perform faecal calprotectin in a lab to determine the stools calcium levels.
I am trying to find the original research that was used to discover their external cycle as well as finding journals in the same topic.
Kind regards,
Nick.
UV light may also be positiv for mating behavior as some colors or signals on the skin are not visible in "normal" light. I think that a UVB source is a benefit for any reptiles
I have read about captive care of Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus), from the booklet selling in popular pet shop, they do recommended UVB and of course UVB expensive than other tubes.
and also perhaps you should consider the quality of non inbreed gene pool of your samples.
Maybe helpfull for you
http://www.zora.uzh.ch/108864/1/veiled_chameleons_D.H.pdf
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/140/11/1923.full.pdf+html
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