Zoo Med ReptiSun UVB Reptile Lighting

Zoo Med ReptiSun UVB Bulb | Essential UVB Lighting for Reptiles

Quick Facts:

• Best for: UVB-dependent reptiles (bearded dragons, most turtles, many lizards)
• Key feature: Emits UVB wavelength needed for natural vitamin D3 synthesis
• Format: Linear fluorescent or compact bulb, multiple UVB output strengths (5.0/10.0)
• Key support: Critical for preventing metabolic bone disease
• Ideal for: Any UVB-dependent species' primary enclosure lighting

Description: ReptiSun is one of the most established UVB bulb lines in the reptile-keeping hobby, and UVB lighting itself is not optional for most diurnal, basking reptile species — it's the wavelength that allows a reptile's skin to synthesize vitamin D3, which the body then needs to properly absorb calcium from food. Without adequate UVB exposure, reptiles are at serious risk of metabolic bone disease, a painful and potentially fatal condition caused by chronic calcium deficiency. Zoo Med offers ReptiSun in different UVB output strengths, typically 5.0 for less UVB-demanding species like many geckos, and 10.0 for high-UVB-need desert species like bearded dragons. Bulb placement, distance from the basking spot, and screen-mesh attenuation all affect how much usable UVB actually reaches the animal, so keepers should follow species-specific distance guidelines rather than assuming any placement works. UVB output degrades over time even if the bulb still visibly lights up, so most keepers replace ReptiSun bulbs roughly every six to twelve months regardless of whether they've burned out.