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What are opinions on a UVB light source if a RF tortoise spends very little time outside? For a Hatchling? Yearling? Juvenile? Adult?
Thanks, Jake.

Jake.. where do redfoot tortoises come from?

The forests and jungles [ primarily ] of South America.

So with that in mind.. and consider the fact that they are "omnivorous" [ eat anything ] and often almost "carnivorous" [ eat animal protein ] they don't [ need to ] bask to get the D vitamins needed to do that calcium thing.. needed by tortoises!

I've never used the "UVB" light source for redfoot tortoises. And my 3 year-olds that I hatched look like WC.. smooth as 'you know what's'!

What's your opinion Jake?

Redfoots are forest tortoises who in the wild receive minimal sunlight (less than 3% of that which hits the canopy) and as such do not benefit from UVB. They receive their vitamin D3 from animal protien (they are omnivores as opposed to grassland tortoises that are largely herbivorous). There also recent studies that show UVB may actually be injurious to the eyes of forest tortoises. In my experience UVB bulbs are a needless expense, spend your money on a good ceramic heat emitter.

Thanks for the opinions! I will be getting a RF shortly and do not intend on having a UV light source. I will soon be moving to an apartment and will have limited access to sunlight. And i was just curious as to some other opinions. I did know that they received their D3 from their diet and that too much is a common problem, however, i did not know exactly how little UV was need. I do intend to every seventh day feed a high protein cat food (Eukanuba - Adult cat - Chicken flavour) with some calcium dusting.
Thanks, Jake.

Jake.. these are proven facts based on years of research and experience.

You're more than welcome to contact me direct with any Q?'s you might have. Email me from any one of my 'sites in my signature.

Hope this has helped.

Well actually, redfoots are NOT primarily forest and jungle tortoises. Their close cousins the yellowfoot tortoise, G. denticulata occurs in these habitats though.
Redfoots are found in forest edges and savannah/scrub. In eastern Brazil they are found in scrub areas with sparse grasses and spiney bromeliads. In Paraguay they occur in thorn scrub that is leafless for large portions of the year. In some places they occur in seasonally dry forests. So although they can live in a variety of habitats, observations in the wild and in large outdoor pens indicate that they do indeed bask in direct sunlight often. I know that both hatchlings and adults of mine will actively seek out patches of direct sunlight even on warm mornings.
Having said that, many keepers have acheived good results raising them without direct sunlight or expensive UVB lighting. However, the long term results of these animal's success is years away.
I think common sense is needed and offering direct sunlight (with shade of course) or some UVB lighting couldn't hurt and probably benefits, if only in a limited way.
As Terry mentions though a good varied diet along with proper humidity and water are essential.

Thanks for the info, i do not have to worry about the cost as i already have spare fixtures and bulbs, i keep many reptiles just not torts...yet. So maybe offer a couple hours of uv in a day? Maybe not. We'll see.
Thanks, Jake.

Make note.. cdmay is referring mainly to "Southern" redfoots.. aka Cherryheads. The cherrys do occur in "harsher" climates.. moreso than the "Northerns" which do have access to a somewhat different environment. [ more ground-cover ]

My adults DO come out [ of their hide ] in the warmer months outside and warm-up their 'bones'.. graze awhile and then back to their hide when the sun gets too hot - I'm referring to the "Northerns". When I do bring the hatchlings and juveniles outside for "fresh air".. they will eat and it doesn't take them long 'til they run for the shade!

My "Southerns" are much more active in "direct" sun.. no doubt. Almost as if they are more "heat-tolerant".

Until recently [ 10 years ago? ] a much greater percentage of the redfoots in the pet-trade have been the "Northerns".

Also keep in mind that I'm the best part of 750 miles North of cdmay.. and mine ARE primarily Northerns.. whereas he is much further South and breeds ONLY Southerns!

So jake we're not contradicting each other.. we're almost referring to different "sub-species" - although it's not been "officially" classified/established.

Bottom-line.. what they "don't" get by basking [ UVB lighting? ] they get from their diet, since they are Omnivorous. Unlike "most" other torts in the Eastern "hemisphere" that are Herbivorous.. that don't get what they need from their diet so they have to bask!

I'm sure this is clear as mud!

Here are few articles on forest torts : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/trophab.html, http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/tropical.html, http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/fe...foots.html

[quote=Redfoot NERD]
Make note.. cdmay is referring mainly to "Southern" redfoots.. aka Cherryheads.

Actually Terry, the cherryheads are from Eastern Brazil and are not a 'southern' type. Although the Paraguayans are. But I was referring to redfoots in general.

(Quote)
Also keep in mind that I'm the best part of 750 miles North of cdmay.. and mine ARE primarily Northerns.. whereas he is much further South and breeds ONLY Southerns!

That part isn't correct either as I have bred Colombian, Suriname, Guyana as well as the cherryheads. I have maintained but not bred redfoots from Bolivia and have kept redfoots from Barbados and Martinique during the 34 years I have kept G. carbonaria. All of these animals have behaved exactly the same in my experience when it comes to basking behavior.
It is true that NOW I only keep the cherryheads as I gave up the last of my Colombian animals a few years ago.
Just trying to keep the facts straight.