Will my Blue-Tongued Skink be alright without his UVB light for about two - three weeks?

Question

The bulb went out, and right now I don't have 17 dollars as I'm only fifteen and paid off a vet bill.

I ordered UVB Liquid drops for reptiles but it'll take a while for it to get here.

Will he be okay for that long? He has everything else, though. The 75W basking bulb, food, etc.

Answer 1

Try putting in another lamp with a lower watt lightbulb. Like 25 or 40 should do for just at night.

Answer 2

Hes not going to die if thats what you mean but uv light is very important and a 3 week period without it isn't good.The uv is needed to convert vitamins,calcium and nutrients which helps muscle growth,bone growth and strength and helps keep its skin healthy.

You will probably see him become lethargic and less active.He may also go off his food and his skin colour will become paler.You will also have to be carefull what you feed him as he wont be able to convert the food into the necessary

nutrients as efficiently than normal.

Cant you borrow the money.The uv will need to be changed sooner rather than later.A lack of it does effect its overall well being so is quite important.

Answer 3

Yes, he will be fine. Reptiles can hibernate for periods of a few months in burrows underground without seeing the sun, so he'll be fine. And there are arguments as to whether blue tongue skinks need UV lights or not. As of current, there is no scientific evidence which says blue tongues benefit from UVB rays. Although many lizards such as iguanas, chameleons, and bearded dragons need UVB rays for proper calcium absorbtion and bone growth, blue tongfue skinks may possibly be in the group of lizards which includes geckos and some monitors that do not require UVB lights. I remember seeing a study where a group of blue tongues was raised, half with UVB and half without, and there were no differences in bone structure between the two groups. This study concluded that UVB is unneccessary for blue tongue skinks. They are believed to be more like snakes in that they don't need UV and get their calcium from their food. This is why adding calcium powder to their food is important. Nonetheless, it doesn't hurt to use a UVB bulb.

Answer 4

Can you cancel the order for the drops? If so do that then use that money for your new bulb. Can you ask your mom/dad for a loan of $20 bucks to buy the bulb now and pay them back in the 2-3 weeks? Maybe offer to do a few extra things around the house as a bonus? When you get some money next you might want to consider buying a spare bulb and keep it put up just in case this happens again and your broke!

Answer 5

It depends on what kind of conditions hes in. If it's the iguana's average temperature outside, and he's not in anywhere really air-conditioned, he'll most likely be fine. Except if there's a drastic change in weather. If your not going on vacation or something, I also reccommend taking him out a lot.

Answer 6

UVB drops can not replace having a actual UVB bulb. I think those drops are a joke because they are just extra D3 and without a UVB bulb there is no way for the animal to convert the calcium to the bones. THEY ARE NOT a replacement for a bulb and should never be. Reptiles can actually suffer from D3 toxicity this coditons results from from the excess administration of vitamin D3 itself. This product is about as useful as standing in front of your animal and signing a little ray of sunshine. not giving UVB expose from a light or the natural sun you are putting your animal at great risk for Metabolic Bone Disease. Blue Tounge skinks need UVB lighting, They are a derail animal(unlike geckos) which makes them need it just like the bearded dragon. I would put your skink out side during the day until you can get an accual bulb and take him inside at night.