Best Light

[brow82]

What's best fixed light for viewing my Malaysia forest scorpion I have seen exo terra do a bulb but been told a red bulb is better??

 

[brow82]

These are the 2 I was referring too that exo terra do....

 

[Andrew Clayton]

These are the 2 I was referring too that exo terra do....

If you want to see them glow like this a red bulb will be no use. Needs to have UV light to make them glow. Also all scorpions do this not just AFS.

 

[brow82]

Iv been told on local groups that UV is bad for the scorpion but want other people's opinions

 

[viper69]

Iv been told on local groups that UV is bad for the scorpion but want other people's opinions

I read the same thing from a senior scorpion owner here many years ago; s/he stated UV makes their exo soft. Given its mutagenic properties, and ability to break down plastics easily I wouldn’t be surprised.

Red is fine. You could also use a dim blue too

 

[Andrew Clayton]

Iv been told on local groups that UV is bad for the scorpion but want other people's opinions

Sorry, I'm sure you're original question was what was best for viewing the scorpion? Obviously the light that makes them glow is going to be better for viewing, only turning it on to view in this case. If you're asking what light is best for the scorpion then it's the red light. As mentioned above, if you're using a UV light constantly it's going to soften their exoskeleton.

 

[BiggerBugz]

I use a LED Hygger aquarium light for all my tanks, I like to use live plants. I bought a $8 black light flashlight off Amazon and use it to see him in his burrow.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

Sorry, I'm sure you're original question was what was best for viewing the scorpion? Obviously the light that makes them glow is going to be better for viewing, only turning it on to view in this case. If you're asking what light is best for the scorpion then it's the red light. As mentioned above, if you're using a UV light constantly it's going to soften their exoskeleton.

It may, or may not, interest you to know that there has been no credible academic study that supports- or refutes- the claim that ultraviolet light/ radiation affects the structural integrity of a scorpion's exoskeleton. At least none that I could find using every means of searching academic publications at my disposal. The cuticle making up the integument of a terrestrial arthropod is some very sturdy stuff. Some terrestrial arthropods can reflect UV radiation, but I wasn't able to find anything that supports any claim that it can damage it. Besides, I have seen viper69 make that claim as coming from some kind of experienced scorpion keeper before, but it lacks some of the most basic supporting detail. Details such as the intensity and duration of exposure to ultraviolet radiation causing structural integrity to fail, what wavelengths exactly constitute the ultraviolet wavelength, or how it became known that failure occurred in the first place. Without the most basic of detail, it comes off as a made up factoid.

Although I would agree that avoiding ultraviolet lights in a scorpion's enclosure would be a good idea since there is no support for or against the claim it could damage the exoskeleton, lets choose a light based on something there is support for. Arachnid eyes can not detect the red and infrared wavelengths at all. Therefore red light would be the best way to go since one can increase the brightness at any level for the best viewing experience and the scorpion would still interpret the environment as dark leading to maximum comfort of the scorpion.