A few lighting questions...

[Hairless]

Not putting lights in an enclosures causes no stress and therefore no risk of getting the "lights setup correctly".

IMO Not all keepers are cable of identifing all levels of observed stress in their boa(s). ......I'm not saying, I can observe all and I'm not saying, you can't observe correctly....But given known information and due to different levels of observation; it is best to avoid the potential stress that enclosure lights can and due cause when used incorrectly.

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[razeraze]

Again you will have to be sure the pineal gland is being stimulated properly with outside light being filtered into the cage. Even the moon gives off high amounts of visual light and UVA. I feel we do not know enough about circadian rhythms and light sensitive hormones to properly access the situation, so I try to offer as close to the uva and uvb they would come in contact with in the wild. I also provide the light since not all boas spend the day time burrowed, in caves or in hollowed logs avoiding light. I would venture many boas are like reticulated pythons where even though much activity is at night they still spend a good part of the day roaming the jungle. I think the idea that retics and boas are completely nocturnal is a far stretch from the truth.

	Ultra Violet Radiation B Ultra Violet Radiation B

[Hairless]

Ok I see what your saying.
Your worried about an unkown with the amount of light needed to stimulate the pineal gland, circadian rythums and light sensitive hormones. I think it is good to cover all we can in our husbandry. But for the average keeper who has only observed one or a couple of boas, and/or cannot reckognize low levels of stress; it is best to aviod any stress and lights inside the enclosure can cause stress.

The few tropical rain forests I have stood in, had very little light reaching the floor and that is why I set up for indirect light. Along with obseved behaviors.

I don't know the thread starter or their level of skill and don't think the stress risk of providing for the above mentioned unknowns is worth it....

[razeraze]

Unfortunately I have to get my rain forest observations from other people and their pictures. Hopefully soon I will be able to visit a few, and get recordings of surface temperatures and U.V.B. Thank you for sharing your field observations with me, they will be noted.