Red light...blue light...which color is wrong or right?

[kinyonga]

"The third eye, that is called parietal eye is capable of detection of a wide spectrum of light from IR through visible spectrum to UV at low intensities"....and ... "So even when the eyes of the chameleon are closed, it does not allow him to sleep fully if it detects visible (even red) light"...
https://www.chameleons.info/l/never-use-red-light-at-night-for-chameleons/

"The lizard’s parietal eye photoreceptors contain two pigments per cell, blue and green. Having two different pigments allows the cell to respond to two different colors of light and process that information within the same cell"...
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060415111626.htm

Does all colored light affect the chameleon through the parietal eye or does it just respond to the blue/green?

 

[Lindasjackson]

Interesting!

 

[Sonny13]

Thanks, really interesting.

 

[kinyonga]

You might like this...
"reptiles are tetrachromatic"...
"the red, green, and blue cones of reptiles have shifted peak sensitivities when compared to those of humans, so they do not perceive colour in quite the same way we do. This can have implications with using artificial lighting optimised for human vision"...
"Artificial lighting has been optimised for human sensitivities rather than reptilian demands, so, for instance, although lack UV-A or other parts of the spectra do not bother humans, it may dramatically affect reptiles. As well as colour perception, reptiles may also see hues and illuminance in a way that we can hardly imagine"...
"Regardless of whether vitamin D was sourced from the skin or digestive tract, it remains biologically inactive until its conversion by two biochemical alterations"...
https://reptile-savvy.weebly.com/lighting-for-reptiles.html

 

[kinyonga]

"Regardless of whether vitamin D was sourced from the skin or digestive tract, it remains biologically inactive until its conversion by two biochemical alterations"...
https://reptilesmagazine.com/an-in-depth-look-at-uv-light-and-its-proper-use-with-reptiles/

 

[kinyonga]

"What About Albinos?
Albino and hypomelanistic morphs of any species are likely to be more sensitive to UV and visible light, and will need much-reduced exposure levels. Skin pigments, especially melanin, block UV radiation. A lack of skin and eye pigmentation therefore allows a higher percentage of UV to penetrate the cells, increasing the risks of UV skin damage (“sunburn”) and even cancer. Fortunately, this increased UV transmission means that adequate vitamin D3 synthesis should still be possible despite lower UV exposure"...
https://reptilesmagazine.com/an-in-depth-look-at-uv-light-and-its-proper-use-with-reptiles/