ExoTerra Reptile UVB100 T5 VHO

The Exo Terra Reptile UVB100 T5 VHO is a Very High Output UVB lamp engineered specifically for cryptophotic species — the shade dwellers, the crepuscular and nocturnal animals that rarely bask in open sunlight but still depend on UV exposure to stay healthy. Available in four sizes to suit enclosures of different scale, this T5 tube is manufactured in Germany and rated for UV output lasting 12 months or more.

Built for Shade-Dwelling Species

Cryptophotic animals — including many rainforest reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates — instinctively avoid intense direct sunlight, seeking UV through filtered or reflected exposure instead. This lamp's output is calibrated to serve that behaviour, providing UVA and UVB at levels appropriate for species that would never voluntarily bask under an open sky. It supports animals that are active at dusk, dawn, or through the night, without overwhelming them with intensity suited to arid-zone baskers.

UVA, UVB and the Visible Spectrum

The UVB100 T5 VHO combines UVA and UVB output with a well-balanced visible light spectrum, replicating the relevant portions of natural sunlight that these animals would encounter in the wild. UVA plays a direct role in stimulating natural behaviours — feeding response, activity levels, and reproductive behaviour — while the UVB component drives Vitamin D3 synthesis and calcium metabolism. Without adequate UVB, captive animals are at significant risk of Metabolic Bone Disease; this lamp is designed to address that risk directly.

Very High Output — T5 Advantage

As a T5 VHO tube, this lamp delivers meaningfully stronger UVA and UVB output than standard T8 tubes or compact energy-saving alternatives. That increased intensity gives the UV greater penetration depth, making the range well suited to taller terrariums and setups where a mesh or screen top may reduce transmission. A unique phosphor blend is used to replicate the solar UVB spectrum as closely as possible. Exo Terra recommend pairing this lamp with their T5 Terrarium Top for best results.

Longevity and Consistency

UV output from fluorescent lamps degrades before the tube visibly dims — a common cause of deficiency in captive reptiles. The UVB100 T5 VHO is rated for 12 months or more of effective UV output, giving keepers a reliable service interval to work to rather than guessing when a replacement is due.

Choosing the Right Size

The UVB100 T5 VHO range covers four sizes, from compact options for smaller vivarium setups through to full-length tubes suited to larger enclosures. Select the size that fits your fixture and enclosure length from the variant options on this page — and bear in mind that output intensity will vary with distance from the basking or resting area, so positioning matters as much as lamp selection.