Light is all around us, and all around reptiles and amphibians in their natural environment. Consequently, most people add light of some form to their enclosure.

The term "light" is normally used to describe the visible part of the Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) spectrum, which also contains X-rays, Ultraviolet light, Infrared light, and Microwave and radio waves:

Xrays and Gamma Rays

Ultraviolet

V

I

S

I

B

L

E

Infrared

Microwaves and radio waves

In a reptile or amphibian enclosure, three components of this spectrum are commonly used:

1. The visible part of the spectrum (i.e. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet which, when combined, produce white light). This is so we can see the animals - let's face it, there isn't much point to keeping them if you can't see them! Also, this allows us to replicate the natural day/night cycle the animal would be subjected to in the wild.
2. The Infrared part of the spectrum, which is basically "heat".
3. The Ultraviolet, or UV, part of the spectrum is commonly used for dragons, turtles, and some snakes (such as Diamond Pythons Morelia spilota spilota) as the UV is used by the animal to produce the vitamin D3.

Anyway, that's enough of the science and physics - all you really need to know is that there are three main light types used in enclosures. Visible light sources are covered on this page, ultraviolet (UV) light is covered on the UV lighting page, and infrared (IR) light is covered on the heating page.

Visible light (or light so you and your animal can see!)

This type of light is used for two main purposes:
(i) So we can see our animals, and they can see us.
(ii) To mimic the real world situation in which there is day and night (i.e. to provide a naturalistic photoperiod).

The two standard forms of this lighting is by either a fluorescent tube, or by incandescent or halogen bulbs.

If you choose a fluorescent tube, you can either use a standard "office" tube (either white, or daylight), or a UV tube.

As far as incandescent bulbs go, a standard household globe will do fine. You can also use a reflector bulb which gives more intense light, and allows you to use the lamp for both lighting and providing a warm basking spot. See the heating page.

Halogen bulbs come in two main types - either wide angle or spot angle globes, giving either a well-dispersed or tightly focused beam. These can look quite elegant, and produce a nice coloured light as anyone going into a display room/jeweler's window will know.

Whatever the choice of light, it is best to have it on a 24 hour automated timer, so that it is only on for part of the day. In Summer, you should aim for 10 - 14 hours of light, and in Winter 6 - 10 hours, depending where the species comes from. The best thing to do is mimic the daylight hours of the locality the species is naturally found in. Also, all lights produce heat, so it may be wise to enclose the light source with a mesh screen to prevent the animal touching the bulb/electrical wiring and burning themselves. Have a look at some info on building a light guard.

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