UVA vs UVB
Posted May 16th 2017 by
The difference between UVB and UVA is made by the difference
in wavelengths and the energy in the photons of the light. UVA also has a longer
wavelength than UVB does. Both of these wavelengths, however, are Ultraviolet,
hence the UV. UV is necessary for the production of Vitamin D in most living
things, including reptiles, though UVB helps the creation of Vitamin D more than
UVA. A lack of Vitamin D in reptiles can cause a lot of complications.
While UVB helps in the creation of Vitamin D, UVA encourages normal activities and necessities. UV bulbs provide both UVA and UVB. When it comes to purchasing a UV Bulb, make sure it has full spectrum lighting and produces at least 1.1% UVB. The full spectrum lighting gives your reptile an easier time rendering colors, since reptiles are one of the animals that can see UV light. 1.1% UVB is a good ratio of UVA to UVB, as it gives a proper amount of both UV lights while not overloading the reptile’s senses.
Full-spectrum lighting covers the light spectrum wavelengths that are useful to plant and animal life. While Full-spectrum is not a technical term, it is an reptile industry term used to imply the product emulates natural sunlight. Products marked Full-spectrum generally produce light across the spectrum but may not produce an even distribution throughout.