Lighting: UVA Basking VS Ceramic Heat Bulb?

[lilLostduckie]

We use the Reptisun 10.0 18" for UVB, and have been using a ceramic heating bulb in lieu of a UVA Basking Bulb.

I know most people use just normal incandescent bulbs, but I was wondering, if the light in the room is typically on, besides being in natural light majority of the day, is there a benefit of using a UVA Basking Bulb instead of a ceramic heating bulb?

We use the heater to make sure we can maintain an adequate temperature in the cage, but I suppose a basking light placed appropriately and with enough wattage would provide the same benefit.

 

[Venutus1]

We use the Reptisun 10.0 18" for UVB, and have been using a ceramic heating bulb in lieu of a UVA Basking Bulb.

I know most people use just normal incandescent bulbs, but I was wondering, if the light in the room is typically on, besides being in natural light majority of the day, is there a benefit of using a UVA Basking Bulb instead of a ceramic heating bulb?

We use the heater to make sure we can maintain an adequate temperature in the cage, but I suppose a basking light placed appropriately and with enough wattage would provide the same benefit.

Hi Little Lost Duckie

For basking for Diurnal (day time active) animals.... always use the light.

Because the light "tells" the animal "Hey, hear is a warm beam of sunshine to sit in.".

It is a visual Q for them, and most diurnal reptiles have a "3rd eye" on top of their head so to speak that is photo-sensitive... that is attached to their pineal gland in their little brains.
(something to google. )

TOO LOW LIGHT LEVELS trigger S.A.D. in your reptiles!!
SAD = seasonal effective disorder
very bad.

And disrupt circadian rhythms.
(Now there is something else to GOOGLE... )

The same thing happens Humans and all animals that can suffer in winter from lack of enough stimulating (sun)light.

Guess what happens?

one word: DEPRESSION

And by some estimates.... about 70% of all captive reptiles are under-lit or improperly lit.

Yes sir-eee
There is a whole lot of SAD and reptile depression out there that needs to be fixed!
ASAP!

Cheers!
Todd