UVB matter

KarenSoCal

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do tortoises still need uvb when they have been exposed to the sun for 15mins? Thanks.
Access to unfiltered sun for an hour twice a week is considered sufficient. By unfiltered I mean no glass, plexi, or screening blocking the sun.

15 mins every day adds up to 1.75 hrs, so it should be OK. A bit more would be even better.

You can also take them out for an hour only 2x/week.
 

Gringoyard88

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Access to unfiltered sun for an hour twice a week is considered sufficient. By unfiltered I mean no glass, plexi, or screening blocking the sun.

15 mins every day adds up to 1.75 hrs, so it should be OK. A bit more would be even better.

You can also take them out for an hour only 2x/week.
Okay, So if they get natural sunlight, don’t need to turn on the UVB bulb in their enclosure? And what is the best time so bask them? Morning sunlight or afternoon?
 

Tom

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Okay, So if they get natural sunlight, don’t need to turn on the UVB bulb in their enclosure? And what is the best time so bask them? Morning sunlight or afternoon?
Just making sure anyone reading this is clear: No one should be putting their tortoise in the sun. What we should be doing is giving our tortoises access to sunshine in a large, safe, outdoor enclosure with lots of shade and hiding areas. Many tortoises, especially young babies, will spend all or most of their time outside hiding at first. This is okay. They don't have to sit exposed to full sun the whole time for them to get some UV benefit. They can overheat and die in full sun in minutes.
 

Gringoyard88

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Just making sure anyone reading this is clear: No one should be putting their tortoise in the sun. What we should be doing is giving our tortoises access to sunshine in a large, safe, outdoor enclosure with lots of shade and hiding areas. Many tortoises, especially young babies, will spend all or most of their time outside hiding at first. This is okay. They don't have to sit exposed to full sun the whole time for them to get some UV benefit. They can overheat and die in full sun in minutes.
thanks tom.
 

Lyn W

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Do you keep the 2 together?
If so and you haven't found the threads about this yet, please be aware that torts are solitary creatures and find sharing their space very stressful. One is likely to become dominant and will bully the other and it can start at a young age especially in small spaces when they can't avoid each other.
Signs of this behaviour are staring, following, nudging, mounting, hogging the food and best basking spot etc. This will become more aggressive and result in illness from the stress and injury from barging and biting.
So it is their best interests to keep them apart if your not already doing so.
 

Suranai

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Do you keep the 2 together?
If so and you haven't found the threads about this yet, please be aware that torts are solitary creatures and find sharing their space very stressful. One is likely to become dominant and will bully the other and it can start at a young age especially in small spaces when they can't avoid each other.
Signs of this behaviour are staring, following, nudging, mounting, hogging the food and best basking spot etc. This will become more aggressive and result in illness from the stress and injury from barging and biting.
So it is their best interests to keep them apart if your not already doing so.

I'd like to learn more about Aldabra behaviors, especially in a social setting. Could you point me to a place where I can get more info on this topic?
 

Gringoyard88

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How many hours a day do i turn my UVB on for my close chamber enclosure for two 1 year old sulcata. Thanks for the answer guys. Stay safe ?
 

Lyn W

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I'd like to learn more about Aldabra behaviors, especially in a social setting. Could you point me to a place where I can get more info on this topic?
If you search 'why not to keep 2 torts together' you'll find lots of threads.
Any torts in groups with the right gender mix usually work ok as long as they have a huge space to spread out and avoid each other.
Most species are solitary creatures, they get together for breeding but then go their own way.
I don't know about Aldabras but as Wellington said Aldabraman would be the best to talk to.
 

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