Red Light-observation/red eye tree frogs

[flybyferns]

My enclosures are in my unfinished basement, near the tortoise table which is divided and shared w/ a hamster. In the winter the ambient temp and this AM downstairs is 62 degrees F. Three nights ago I hung a Red light heat lamp- ( 50 watt) (you know -the kind " red eyes can't see" ) above the tortoise table, mostly so the hamster would be warmer. It's about 8 feet from my red eye enclosure. I even went so-far-as-to cover the back of the fixture w/ foil to block the red light from the red eye enclosure as my frogs are used to complete darkness.

WELL - Interesting !!! That was three nights ago and for three nights they really have not eaten much and have not been active AT ALL! So much for " red eyes tree frogs can't see red light".

They were VERY bothered by it !

Most ads specifically state "great for night viewing" etc !
I took the red light down. I am returning it for a ceramic.

Lynn