"Beginner" Lizard/Monitor

[coura]

Uv isnt absolutely necessary as it really doesnt reflect anything that the sun actually gives in terms of radiance and actual ultra violet lights. As much as the reptile companies say that their lights are as close as it gets, its still bologne and its a waste of money imo, but thats my opinion.

You are talking about reptiles in general or Lacertas in particular? Lacertas aparently can be raised without uv bulbs(however without it growth is slower and some babys develop bone problems, dont matter how much calcium and vit D3 is given to them). In my experience and opinion, some animals simply dont trive without uv ligth. Iguanas, basilisks, water dragons, bearded dragons,etc just to name a few. However you are absolutley rigth, nothing compares to the sun. The thing is many of us simply dont have outdoor facilitys, or a good climate or time to give their animals sun bath every day(I however if I have a lilte time and there is good weader, both my igs and the anole get their sun bath, some times daily) so uv bulbs come handy as a temporary substitute for the real thing. At the other end of the scale Im not a big fan of thouse new"cook your lizard from inside out" lamps like power sun It allways amazes me when people buy these for like baby turtles Except to treat MBD I think this lamps should only be used for high uv loving lizards like Uromastix and adult bearded dragons