Searched youtube, and this site but came up empty. I see everyone talking about Albinism and photophobia, but not any specific care guide for it.
Background: My Lipstick Junglow absolutely freezes when my UVB light comes on, and if she is hiding she will not move anywhere until the light is off (even if room lights are still on). I fed her last night, once she was done she started heading for the warm side of the tank, so I put the lid back on and the light. She froze. Refused to move for almost an hour. Turned the light off, she continued and burrowed down to the heat mat. This is how I went down the rabbit hole of this topic.
So with that said, do ALL albino line boas exhibit photophobia? What my snake is doing, does that sound like photophobia (not fear, but getting over stimulated because of the light?) Should i consider ditching the UVB and just using the natural room light?
There’s scientific evidence of the affects of albinism pretty well known. Altho maybe some animals may not exhibit discomfort, im sure they do. It is known that albinism affects the body such as higher chance of skin cancer and vision problems. If your animal reacts to the UV stop using it, alternatively move to a 7% uv if you must.
Me having photophobia even with my dark tint for outside the sun really hurts especially at dawn and dusk, so do bright headlights. I keep 1 lamp in my house which is a 40 watt soft glow which is diffused by a shade, most often i operate in ambient light only my caregivers etc. And those Who visit always comain why is it so dark in here, most of my Dr’s and nurses and therapist will turn down the lights for me when i see them.
Of course i could be a more severe case and im sure there’ll be guys on here saying they raise albinos for years no issue, i wouldn’t quite agree with that statement. I may not have albinism but i definitely have a very well documented by Dr’s that i do have photophobia and thats just one issue that albinos have. Not to mention poor eyesight possible blindness etc.
I imagine since snakes cannot close their eyes they get the full affects of light whether they want it or not.
Ya I think I am gonna scrap the UVB, and run another low wattage CHE on that side of the tank on a dimmer. the UVB was helping keep the ambient steady during the day on the cool end.
My ambient is 72 and I know many other keepers and breeders that keep boas on that with success. You should be good with those temps while your boa(s) are young and you can move to PVC enclosures when they are due for a size up. The use of PVC will make your ambient go up especially if your enclosures are stacked.
Oh awesome! I mean if the hotside is right and the cool side is not too bad she will thermo-regulate regardless. Ill just shutdown the UVB for now see what the temps look like overnight into the morning, and if its working well ill seal the top up and remove the housing (the housing is help seal in the humidity).
