Uvb

[rogervan]

Hi, Does my garter snake need UVB? It follows that I have to ask about garter snakes' source of vit.D: can garter snakes get vit.D from their food? I suppose the answer is yes, they get their vit.D from their prey.

Roger

[guidofatherof5]

No to the UVB. Not needed.
Yes to the D3 in their prey. Some people use a calcium supp. to be sure.
This is what I use.
Amazon.com: Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3 (4.1 oz) Ultrafine Powder Pink bottle: Pet Supplies

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Stefan has some good information in response to this question! I don't know where to find it though so I will let him do the honors.

[twgrosmick]

UVB is not needed. If you feed mice supplements are not needed either. If you are on a fish or worm diet then you will want to slightly supplement but be sure not to over do it. Too much calcium can be an issue as well.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

They bask in the open and are exposed to high UV index nature so it simply makes sense to provide them with a good UV source. I was convinced of this when I borrowed my geckos UV light to see how my marcianus would react to it.She noticed it straight away and basked under it for over an hour!

[Stefan-A]

Stefan has some good information in response to this question! I don't know where to find it though so I will let him do the honors.

I presume you're referring to this:

http://vetmed.illinois.edu/mmitch/pdf/corn%20snake.pdf

Effects of ultraviolet radiation on plasma
25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations in corn
snakes (Elaphe guttata)

Mark J. Acierno, MBA, DVM; Mark A. Mitchell, DVM, PhD; Trevor T. Zachariah, DVM;
Marlana K. Roundtree; Megan S. Kirchgessner, DVM; David Sanchez-Migallon Guzman, Lic en Vit

Objective—To determine whether corn snakes exposed to UVB radiation have increased
plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations, compared with control snakes.

Animals—12 corn snakes (Elaphe guttata).

Procedures—After an acclimation period in individual enclosures, a blood sample was collected
from each snake for assessment of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration.
Six snakes were provided with no supplemental lighting, and 6 snakes were exposed to
light from 2 full-spectrum coil bulbs. By use of a radiometer-photometer, the UVA and UVB
radiation generated by the bulbs were measured in each light-treated enclosure at 3 positions
at the basking surface and at 2.54 cm (1 inch) below each bulb surface; the arithmetic
mean values for the 3 positions at the basking surface and each individual bulb surface
were calculated immediately after the start of the study and at weekly intervals thereafter.
At the end of the study (day 28), another blood sample was collected from each snake to
determine plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration.

Results—Mean ± SD plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in snakes that were
provided with supplemental lighting (196 ± 16.73 nmol/L) differed significantly from the
value in control snakes (57.17 ± 15.28 nmol/L). Mean exposure to UVA or UVB did not alter
during the 4-week study period, although the amount of UVA recorded near the bulb surfaces
did change significantly.

Clinical Relevance—These findings have provided important insight into the appropriate
UV radiation requirements for corn snakes. Further investigation will be needed before exact
husbandry requirements can be determined. (Am J Vet Res 2008;69:294–297)

[chris-uk]

I've read that article before. The "clinical relevance" is important to note...
The study shows that corn snakes exposed to UVA and UVB have higher levels of D3 in their bloodstream, however does that higher level of D3 confer any health benefits? Hence further studies would be needed to determine whether UV is a husbandry requirement.