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Lighting experiment results

Scrufdog

Scrufdog

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After a discussion about lighting for leos I decided to try an experiment with different types of lights.

I had a blue light I was using as a nightlight for my lady leo and she didnt seem to mind it. I was told that I should get a red light since a blue light was similiar to a black light. I checked into it, and no, a blue light and a black light have nothing in common, black light=bad, blue light=not bad.

So after the discussion I decided to try something. I setup my camcorder to record 4 hour blocks at night after everyone went to sleep, 2 sessions for each lighting option.

Using the blue light Ms. Sketchy came out for a couple minutes about every 30-45 minutes.

Using no light at all (and nightvision on the camcorder), the results were exactly opposite of the blue light. She was outside most of the 4 hours.

Using the red light was almost the same as no light. She was out just for most of the 4 hour block, but retreated for a little while now and then, which could just be because she felt like it.

So, after all this, I have replaced the blue light with the red one, and will be using that for now on. Anyone else using one of those Night Glo, or whichever blue lights, I would recommend the same. Geckos can see the blue light, and therefore wont be as active as they could be.

Hope this helps some people. I'm glad I get bored at night, I've learned something from it. :)
 
That's probably about as accurate a short term test as you'll get, using only one animal as a test subject.

I would love to see more indepth testing, such as effect on appetite and mating.

Very interesting test you set up, thank you for your research!!!!
 
wow, this is an interesting test and definitely helpful, thank you! I've been using red lights but had been thinking about blue ones, now I know it is best to stay on red! :D
does anyone know anything about green lights?
Mirty
 
I dont use light any more except if I want to view them in the night. I have a red light because that one seems to emit the most amout of light. I mean I can see them better with the red light. Although I also have a purple light it is like a black light. I can see them with this to but not as good as with the red. But they seem to do the same thing reguardless of if the lights red, purple or no light at all. I think another way to tell might be to look at the leos eyes and see if the pupils grow or shrink with the different lights. Usualy they open wider in the dark so if they stay wide then its better but if they close smaller then it is emitting more light. I dont know if this will give results but it might be interesting if you have the time.
 
i can try, but its kinda hard to see Ms. Sketchy's pupils since she's s shrimp still. I'll take a look tonight and see what i can see.
 
Since Leopard geckos are nocturnal, The best kind of lighting for them at night is the very special, extremly cheap, easy to find "NO LIGHT"!...unless of course your viewing them, then you can use a 50,000 watt super sun spot! (which can be seen from the windows of the space shuttle)
:hot:

Ok..so disregard that last part! :D
 
I have to aggree with Overton..... Its cool that you want to do harmless experiments on your leo but it is almost pointless..... I am in no way putting you down....... Like I said, it is cool that you want to see what makes them tick but at night time, the best lighting is NO lighting....... Sorry if it sounded rude..... Its just my style of writting and I am pretty much on the blunt and straight foward side......
 
I did this so that people who do use lighting know what type to use. That way there isnt a possibility of overly stressing their pets by having it bright all the time, if they are watching them. If you cant appreciate that, then please dont post in anything I have to say, thanks. Bu-Bye
 
Psssss...hey scrufdog

Really I think it's cool that your checking out the different light's really!, you should try it on some others to get a little wider reaction from different leo's. Also maybe use a regular light and record how much they are out with that on.
But in the end, for basicaly most of there "alone" time no lighting is needed. But I still think that it is a cool experiment! I didn't mean to diss your experiment, Im just kinda "blunt" in a dork kinda-way!

Hey....and by the way! sign your real name at the bottom of your post or put it under your title before the web monster gets you!
:D
 
See this to me is where I think things get a little fuzzy. At night, in a room with NO LIGHTS it is close to being pitch black. It is relatively rare when in nature it is pitch black outside. So is NO LIGHT in a pitch black room really the best light???

I personally use a childs night light in my herp room. It gives off a little less light than a standard candle and I have noticed a significant increase in my Leos night time activities. I started using the night light for my benefit when I needed something out of my herp room and did not want to flip on the lights and disturb my herps. Then I noticed how much more they were out when the night light was in use.

Just my 2 cents....
 
I agree that while a bright light source should never be used with any nocturnal animal "in the wild" there is usually a light source provided by moonlight.
I also have noticed more activity in my leo vivs with just a faint light in the room than with no light that reaches their viv at all.
Sandy.
 
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