Tortoise table heating and lighting...

[Emma25]

Hello,

We took Penny to the vets today for a general check over, we only took over caring for her last year and wanted to make sure she was doing ok (and that we were doing a good job!)

The vet said she was in good health, a good weight, eating and drinking is regular etc, however she recommended that we use a ceramic heat emitter and thermostats rather than the mercury vapour bulb which we use now. I've come home and taken a look online and it seems a minefield, as everything does with tortoises! Can anybody advise what they use as a suggestion?

She does have an outdoor enclosure which we plan on putting her in more regularly once the weather allows, and she has been out a couple of times the last month when the sun has been out (although not for any great length of time)

The vet we took her too was a recommended reptile specialist and gave some advice, we did also find out that Penny is definitely female

As always any help or advice would be appreciated.

Many Thanks

[Nina]

Hi Emma,

Lovely to hear from you and to know that Penny is doing well!

I'm absolutely mystified by the advice the vet gave you! Ceramic heat emitters give out no light -- just heat -- and no UVB. Did she suggest how to provide light and UVB for Penny indoors? Maybe she was suggesting that you use a ceramic heat emitter on a thermostat at night in case it gets too cold in the room, but actually in most modern houses that is not necessary, and Penny should be just fine in temperatures at night that get down as far as around 14C, as long as she has good heat and light during the day (a temperature of 30C directly under the heat/light bulb and around 20C at the cool end of her enclosure).

I suggest that you stay with the mercury vapour bulb that you have for the time being. Could you possibly send me an email containing the name of the vet you saw and the name of the practice, just so that I can discretely check them out for you? Send it to nina@thetortoisetable.org.uk


Warmest wishes,
Nina

[Emma25]

Hello Nina,

Thank you for the reply, much appreciated. Reading back through my post I missed out a vital piece of information that the vet did recommend that we use an arcadia UV strip light alongside the ceramic one (so sorry, can't believe I missed that out!)

I can certainly email you the practice name but as I say that was my mistake, I think our heads were full of all sorts of information when we came out of there

If we are fine with the mercury vapour bulb then we are happy to leave it at that for now, hopefully once the weather improves she will be outside most days. We can then look into a different set up later in the year.

Once again apologies and many thanks.
Emma

[Nina]

Hi Emma,

Thanks very much for the information about the vet recommending a UV strip light -- that does make a difference!
However, in addition to heat (which would be provided by the CHE), tortoises also like a high level of light (we are always trying to create light which is like a very bright summer's day). In my experience (and I use a UVB strip light), they don't give off a high level of light (they aren't bright like a fluorescent light you would see in a shop, or the one I have in my kitchen). They give off a sort of soft not super bright light, and I don't think that is adequate for a tortoise -- he would get lethargic. I use a 4' long UVB strip light, plus a 100W bulb (either a household spotlight or a reptile basking light) in order to provide heat and light. If the only light source you have is the UVB strip light then I really don't think it's enough. Just stick with your mercury vapour bulb for now.

If you'd like to post some photos of your set-up, we could have a look and suggest little tweaks that might improve it, but it's probably fine as it is.

Best,
Nina

[Emma25]

Thank you Nina, that puts my mind at rest. The vet was pleased with her, and she is anything but lethargic! I am always amazed how quickly they can move when they are determined and have their mind set on something.

I will upload some photos later today for you to see.

Thanks again,
Emma

[Nina]

Thanks, Emma -- I'll look forwrd to seeing them!

Nina

[Emma25]

Hi Nina, I will have to email you them if that's ok as they are saying they are too big to attach!

Many Thanks
Emma

[Nina]

Hi Emma,

Thanks so much for sending me your photos -- those are great enclosures -- indoor and out! And Penny is so lovely -- lol, I remember now her resisting your attempt to hibernate her, so she obviously a great character! I've reduced your photos in size and have posted them here so that everyone can see the lovely Penny and her palatial abodes.

And here is what Emma has said about the enclosures: "We are extending her outdoor enclosure next month and adding a cold frame so she can hopefully spend more time outside. Her indoor tortoise table does have a lid for when we aren't in the house with her. Ideally, we would like to move and increase the size of her indoor table, the one we have is what she came to us with last year. Since my last post we have ordered a UV strip light and will add that to her table."

I hope that Penny appreciates your efforts on her behalf, Emma, because you've done a great job.

Nina
[attachment=0]m_Emma's enclosures 3.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]m_Emma's enclosures 2.jpeg[/attachment][attachment=2]m_Emma's enclosures 1.jpg[/attachment]

[Emma25]

Thank you Nina...Yes, she didn't want to miss Christmas lol, but hopefully we'll be more successful this year

[sutopian35]

Great design, I so much liked it!