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UV Light in the desert

In the Desert

Fluorescent Animals

Insects under a UV light

Greg Watson facilitated these publications!

Greg Watson has spent quite a bit of time now in the desert with the Convoy S2+ 365nm Longwave UV LIght and besides using it for finding different minerals that are fluorescent, he's discovered some plant material (lichens) and some reptiles and insects that share this ability. There are now 2 NEW UV lights available, and they are a better deal, SEE BELOW

You just don't realize how many things out there fluoresce.

The above links were added here to give you an idea of the cost involved to enjoy this really unique hobby. If you spend time in the desert, then this is just another way to see some of the neat geologic and animal wonders that exist there. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases - please help us maintain the site so we can continue to offer this free content!

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Animals

Gecko Under a UV light.

"Rattlesnakes don't fluoresce nearly as brightly as scorpions, so an ultraviolet light is NOT a good way to find them. That's especially true if the snake is within an area littered with fluorescent twigs and leaves. Also, the fluorescence isn't readily detectable with the cheap ultraviolet flashlights commonly available. They emit too much visible purple light that overwhelms the fluorescence from the invisible ultraviolet light. The light I used for these photos has a special filter that blocks almost all of the purple visible light. It's also a shorter wavelength (365 nm versus 395 nm for the commonly available ultraviolet flashlights). The shorter wavelength produces brighter fluorescence. The improved light used here is very affordable, but you need to also buy the add-on filter that blocks its visible light output - the add-on filter is very inexpensive. See Don Gilmore's comment below for several sources to purchase them".

Reptiles under a UV light

Article updated 10-20-22

Greg: I used a tripod to get better results. These are two Mojave Desert Sidewinder Rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerastes cerastes) and were photographed in the Mojave Desert in Ca. The UV flashlight listed below was used to illuminate them.

A perfect example of how a good 365nm light can bring the fluorescence out in reptiles. The gecko photo at the top of the page was taken by Chet Steele who used Greg's flashlight for the photo.

All the below photos by Greg Watson

Mouse over the photo to the right to see how this sidewinder looked under a UV light ----

Lichens under a UV light

We all know that scorpions have the ability to fluoresce under UV light, and many people want a UV light just for that purpose. But there are other things in the desert that a UV light can be handy for. See the enlargement to see why ---

Camel Spider / Wind Scorpion and yes they are fluorescent also. In fact you can see the fine hairs on his body and legs that are not normally visible under a normal white light. See the enlargement for more detail ----

More detail see ----

Here's a great comparison of a Scorpion under regular white light and then the same scorpion under the Convoy S2+ 365nm UV light.

Mouse over the photo to the right to see how this scorpion looked under a UV light ----

Who would have thought that a Katydid would also Fluoresce under a UV light?

Mouse over the photo to the right to see how this scorpion looked under a UV light ----

More detail see ----

Apparently some Lichens are also fluorescent under a good UV light. Greg has given us 2 great examples here.

Mouse over the photos to the right to see how these lichens looked under a UV light ----

More detail see ----

uvBeast 365nm Longwave UV Light

There are a lot of UV flashlights available on web sites. This is basically the same light as the earlier model we recommended here, EXCEPT, (and this is a big plus), this one comes with the battery, charger and a UV Bandpass filter already installed in the light. Price - $36.99

Purchase at Amazon.com #ad

Powerful UV light from uvBeast

Here's an even more powerful version with 3 - 365nm LED's. This light also comes with the batteries and charger and UV Bandpass filter. Plus a holster. The range of this light is 50+ ft. in the dark. This could light up your hiking path and enble you to find some flourescence along the way. Price - around $80.00

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Animals

Greg Watson has one and has been using it for a while now. He said it just like the original one, except this one is ready right out of the box. And it's cheaper since you don't have to buy a battery and charger or a UV Bandpass filter for it. Light range 25+ ft.

NEW Updated 10-20-22

Purchase at Amazon.com #ad

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Here's what Greg says about these lights:

A big "Thank you" to Greg Watson for the help with the update on these new lights that are available now from Amazon.