Do you need UVB or UVA light for a turtle?
There are bulbs that provide heat, bulbs that provide light, and bulbs that provide both. If you have a pet that requires higher amounts of UVB light (such as a turtle, tortoise, bearded dragon, iguana, chameleon, etc.) then you need a specific UVB bulb.
What should I do when my tortoise comes out of hibernation?
Add extra light. You need to put your tortoise in an area where he will receive a lot of natural light. This is important to stimulate certain hormones in his body, which will encourage him to eat. To help stimulate your tortoise when he is coming out of hibernation, you can try an artificial UVB light.
When to turn UVB light on and off for reptile?
Make sure that UVB bulbs are used during the day and turned off during the night to mimic daytime and nighttime. Every type of reptile or amphibian has slightly different needs but a general rule of thumb is to keep the UVB light/heat source on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours, a programmable power center can manage the time rotation.
Is it safe to brumate a desert tortoise?
Russian tortoises (formerly T. horsfieldii, now Agrionemys horsfieldii) also fall into the “safe-to-brumate” category, as do some American tortoises, such as the desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ). The majority of the world’s tortoise species are not safe to brumate.
What happens to a tortoise without UVB light?
Without UVB lighting your tortoise or turtle can and will develop metabolic bone disease, be unable to synthesize Vitamin D (which causes calcium metabolism problems), be lethargic, and have a lack of appetite. UVB lighting is very important for these reasons.
How often should I Change my tortoise’s light?
These bulbs run out of UVB rays about every six months, so they do need to be changed regularly. UVB rays must also be able to reach your tortoise or turtle without being scattered or blocked by glass, plexiglass, or screens. An ideal distance between your pet and a regular UVB light is 10-12 inches with nothing in between them and the light.
Do you need a basing spot for a tortoise?
Yes, you do need a basing spot for the tortoise to heat its body. It is also necessary for them to heat their skin in order for the D3 to be fully manufactured. A good reptile UVB bulb puts out UVB and UVA plus visible light.
How often do basking light bulbs fail on tortoise?
This explains (as you’ll find out if you haven’t already) why both UV and basking light bulbs have a nasty habit of failing every 6 to 12 months, but unfortunately there isn’t really any way around this. How Long Can a Juvenile Tortoise Safely go Without Heat?
