| Sunlight & Ferrets - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| swamp |
On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 10:33:01 -0800, Frank
<spamtrap@oakgrovedesigns.net> wrote:
>
>I was going to post a question regarding the importance of sunlight
>(ultraviolet) to Ferrets, searching Google found this site with a lot
>of information regarding Ferrets and light;
>
>http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/lighting.htm
>
>Thought it was some interesting reading.
One small correction/addendum: ultraviolet light is only a tiny pie
wedge of solar spectra. It's more likely that visible light is the
culprit *if* abnormal photoperiods caused by household lighting lead
to excess hormone production which leads to adrenal disease in
ferrets. No one knows for sure, but there's enough weight to the
theory that I keep their cage in a sunlit-only room.
>Frank, Daisy, and Cinnamon.
swamp
--
"Who me officer? What's a ferut. These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
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| ..brian.. |
swamp wrote:
> On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 10:33:01 -0800, Frank
> <spamtrap@oakgrovedesigns.net> wrote:
>
> >
> >I was going to post a question regarding the importance of sunlight
> >(ultraviolet) to Ferrets, searching Google found this site with a
lot
> >of information regarding Ferrets and light;
> >
> >http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/lighting.htm
> >
> >Thought it was some interesting reading.
>
> One small correction/addendum: ultraviolet light is only a tiny pie
> wedge of solar spectra. It's more likely that visible light is the
> culprit *if* abnormal photoperiods caused by household lighting lead
> to excess hormone production which leads to adrenal disease in
> ferrets. No one knows for sure, but there's enough weight to the
> theory that I keep their cage in a sunlit-only room.
>
> >Frank, Daisy, and Cinnamon.
>
> swamp
I started reading up on this topic recently, since I am moving to
Anchorage, AK soon, and was concerned about the effects the abnormal
lighting conditions might have on their health. Everything that I have
read seems to make sense, and it's an interesting theory. Before I
heard about this, I would almost always leave a small desktop light on
in the room; I don't leave the light on in there anymore, and try to
only use the sun light when possible.
I'm thinking of switching to a full spectrum light system for their
room when I get back home, and when I'm in Alaska.
--
Brian
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| Frank |
swamp wrote:
>
> On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 10:33:01 -0800, Frank
> <spamtrap@oakgrovedesigns.net> wrote:
>
> >
> >I was going to post a question regarding the importance of sunlight
> >(ultraviolet) to Ferrets, searching Google found this site with a lot
> >of information regarding Ferrets and light;
> >
> >http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/lighting.htm
> >
> >Thought it was some interesting reading.
>
> One small correction/addendum: ultraviolet light is only a tiny pie
> wedge of solar spectra. It's more likely that visible light is the
> culprit *if* abnormal photoperiods caused by household lighting lead
> to excess hormone production which leads to adrenal disease in
> ferrets. No one knows for sure, but there's enough weight to the
> theory that I keep their cage in a sunlit-only room.
>
> >Frank, Daisy, and Cinnamon.
>
> swamp
>
> --
>
> "Who me officer? What's a ferut. These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
I agree that Ferrets need a natural daylight cycle and unnatural
cycled (artificial light) may induce adrenal disease.
As to the UV, I had experience with that, as I had a Green Iguana
which would not survive without UVB. Their bodies make vitamin B2 by
being exposed to UVB. They cannot use any kind of chemical Vitimin B2.
I had a 2 foot florescent fixture on a timer, which he could lay under
when he felt the need for B2.
I understand that even a human needs some natural sunlight, so still
wondering about the needs of a ferret.
My ferrets cage is in my living room. I have a small desklamp with a
15 watt lamp by my computer on the opposite side of the room from
their cage. Trying to give them natural daylight cycles.
Frank & the girls.
--
* Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
* Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
* Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
* Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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| swamp |
On 24 Feb 2005 19:50:21 -0800, "..brian.."
<p0nykilller@mailinator.com> wrote:
>
>swamp wrote:
>> On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 10:33:01 -0800, Frank
>> <spamtrap@oakgrovedesigns.net> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >I was going to post a question regarding the importance of sunlight
>> >(ultraviolet) to Ferrets, searching Google found this site with a
>lot
>> >of information regarding Ferrets and light;
>> >
>> >http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/lighting.htm
>> >
>> >Thought it was some interesting reading.
>>
>> One small correction/addendum: ultraviolet light is only a tiny pie
>> wedge of solar spectra. It's more likely that visible light is the
>> culprit *if* abnormal photoperiods caused by household lighting lead
>> to excess hormone production which leads to adrenal disease in
>> ferrets. No one knows for sure, but there's enough weight to the
>> theory that I keep their cage in a sunlit-only room.
>>
>> >Frank, Daisy, and Cinnamon.
>>
>> swamp
>
>I started reading up on this topic recently, since I am moving to
>Anchorage, AK soon, and was concerned about the effects the abnormal
>lighting conditions might have on their health. Everything that I have
>read seems to make sense, and it's an interesting theory. Before I
>heard about this, I would almost always leave a small desktop light on
>in the room; I don't leave the light on in there anymore, and try to
>only use the sun light when possible.
I'm no scientist, but it sorta makes sense, doesn't it? Ferrets aren't
scared of the dark; they're used to it. Being sight dependent, we live
our lives in ~16 hours of light every day. I'm guessing that animals
rely on the changing hours of daylight considerably more than we do.
Note: I agree that melatonin is snake oil. Reasoning: If not produced
naturally by the host then it could do as much harm as good.
>I'm thinking of switching to a full spectrum light system for their
>room when I get back home, and when I'm in Alaska.
Assuming your light system works, how do you plan to plan to set the
hours of operation? In a SoCal year (south of ferret origin), daylight
ranges from 10 to 14 hours. In northern Europe (our ferrets' probable
origin) it's more like 8 to 16. In Anchorage (north of ferret origin)
it's what? 4 to 20? If you're going to augment sunlight w/ artificial
light, how do you plan to add to the waning/subtract from the waxing
hours?
Curious,
swamp
--
"Who me officer? What's a ferut. These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
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| Charles Winters |
All this discussion about sunlight and artificial light rings a bell with
me. Our Bacchus has a deluxe 5X5' pen in my basement. From now on, I'm
going to leave a light on during the day and only turn it off after the sun
goes down, except when he's out for playtime, of course. I want to put some
degree of naturalness and regularity into his life. - CW
snip>
> >I'm thinking of switching to a full spectrum light system for their
> >room when I get back home, and when I'm in Alaska.
>
> Assuming your light system works, how do you plan to plan to set the
> hours of operation? In a SoCal year (south of ferret origin), daylight
> ranges from 10 to 14 hours. In northern Europe (our ferrets' probable
> origin) it's more like 8 to 16. In Anchorage (north of ferret origin)
> it's what? 4 to 20? If you're going to augment sunlight w/ artificial
> light, how do you plan to add to the waning/subtract from the waxing
> hours?
>
snip
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| Frank |
"..brian.." wrote:
>
> swamp wrote:
> > On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 10:33:01 -0800, Frank
> > <spamtrap@oakgrovedesigns.net> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >I was going to post a question regarding the importance of sunlight
> > >(ultraviolet) to Ferrets, searching Google found this site with a
> lot
> > >of information regarding Ferrets and light;
> > >
> > >http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/lighting.htm
> > >
> > >Thought it was some interesting reading.
> >
> > One small correction/addendum: ultraviolet light is only a tiny pie
> > wedge of solar spectra. It's more likely that visible light is the
> > culprit *if* abnormal photoperiods caused by household lighting lead
> > to excess hormone production which leads to adrenal disease in
> > ferrets. No one knows for sure, but there's enough weight to the
> > theory that I keep their cage in a sunlit-only room.
> >
> > >Frank, Daisy, and Cinnamon.
> >
> > swamp
>
> I started reading up on this topic recently, since I am moving to
> Anchorage, AK soon, and was concerned about the effects the abnormal
> lighting conditions might have on their health. Everything that I have
> read seems to make sense, and it's an interesting theory. Before I
> heard about this, I would almost always leave a small desktop light on
> in the room; I don't leave the light on in there anymore, and try to
> only use the sun light when possible.
>
> I'm thinking of switching to a full spectrum light system for their
> room when I get back home, and when I'm in Alaska.
> --
> Brian
From my experience with the Iguana, a "full spectrum" light generally
does not have any UVA or UVB radiation. So the question still is "Does
a ferret simply adjust its life by daylight/dark or is the UV
important to their lives?"
The UV lamps used for Iguanas have a minimal amount of UV but it
seemed that the Iguana knew when he needed it and how long to spend
under it. I used a 2 foot flourescent mounted about a foot from the
Iguana and on a timer on only during daylight hours.
Frank.
--
* Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
* Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
* Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
* Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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| Frank |
Charles Winters wrote:
>
> All this discussion about sunlight and artificial light rings a bell with
> me. Our Bacchus has a deluxe 5X5' pen in my basement. From now on, I'm
> going to leave a light on during the day and only turn it off after the sun
> goes down, except when he's out for playtime, of course. I want to put some
> degree of naturalness and regularity into his life. - CW
>
> snip>
> > >I'm thinking of switching to a full spectrum light system for their
> > >room when I get back home, and when I'm in Alaska.
> >
> > Assuming your light system works, how do you plan to plan to set the
> > hours of operation? In a SoCal year (south of ferret origin), daylight
> > ranges from 10 to 14 hours. In northern Europe (our ferrets' probable
> > origin) it's more like 8 to 16. In Anchorage (north of ferret origin)
> > it's what? 4 to 20? If you're going to augment sunlight w/ artificial
> > light, how do you plan to add to the waning/subtract from the waxing
> > hours?
> >
> snip
I think I would find one of the timers that automatically adjust for
the season difference. They were used originally to control outdoor
signs. Turn on at dusk, off at dawn.
Another thought is if you could mount a photo cell outside (they
should face North) and let that control your lights. Much more
accurate and cheaper than a timer. And does'nt require any attention.
Frank.
--
* Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
* Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
* Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
* Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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