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

[NetworkLabs]

Well, same thing happened to my American Green Tree Frogs. I also have a 60 watt Red Light that disturbed them due to the brightness. Then I remembered I had a dimmer switch, and dimmed it really low. They have gotten use to it now.

[ViperJr]

Well, to be honest, it's not commonly accepted that red eyes do not see red. Most people do agree that they are less bothered by it, but that they do indeed see it. So, nothing new really.

However, I agree that it's bad advertising on the product. But then again, when is not bad advertising?

[NetworkLabs]

Hmmm... That is true...

[Bolisnide]

Hi Lynn,
In my quest to warm my white's tree frog during the winter months, I used a red infrared bulb as well. My frog really didn't like it at all! He hid all night and didn't eat for 3 days. I've since replaced it with a ceramic bulb and he's back to his usual night time behavior.
Glad to know I'm not alone in my observation, and yes - I believe it to be false advertising as well!

[thadmy]

What about black light bulbs that are used for heat you could try those

Exo Terra A19 Night Glo Bulb - Lighting - Lighting - PetSmart

[Bolisnide]

What about black light bulbs that are used for heat you could try those

Exo Terra A19 Night Glo Bulb - Lighting - Lighting - PetSmart

Haven't tried the black lights before... Have you used them with your nocturnal frogs? Do they disturb their normal behavior? I would live to be able to see my frog in action during the night hours!

EDIT: I meant *love - not *live

[thadmy]

I haven't tried them with frogs yet I plan on it once I get my clown tree frogs, but I do use it on lizards I have that are nocturnal and they don't seem to mind them. So I figured its worth a try

[flybyferns]

What about black light bulbs that are used for heat you could try those

Exo Terra A19 Night Glo Bulb - Lighting - Lighting - PetSmart

Hi ,
Don't know about black lights?
It would seem that they would create such a distortion of light and color?
I personally don't think I would bother though. The ceramics work just fine.
Lynn

[thadmy]

Yeah the ceramic heats up the hamster, but I have used the blacklight and yeah it does give off a colour distortion. I mean i have a Tremper Albino and a Super Hypo Leopard geckos under the light and that light makes them look like blizzards. But I figure I know what they look like I just want to watch them hunt and climb all over their tank

[killerecho]

I've used one of those Exo Terra Moonlight bulbs (the 25W version). They glow a faint purple, and my red eyes did not appear bothered by it. I don't use them anymore because they get very hot and I don't know of a way to hang them at a distance.

[thadmy]

Yeah I use them for my ball python and my leopard geckos since they are in my room and that light doesn't bother me to sleep with it on haha