Hatchling desert tortoises and UVB

[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

I have a uvb dome light nd it eill be In the middle of the cage I have a under gravel heating mat and a hide for it to hide. What do I need to know about the lighting?

please and thank you

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Re: RE: Hatchling desert tortoises and UVB

I have a uvb dome light nd it eill be In the middle of the cage I have a under gravel heating mat and a hide for it to hide. What do I need to know about the lighting?

please and thank you

When you say UVB dome light, does this mean the bulb is a compact, coil or CFL type bulb housed in a dome fixture? If so, I'd encourage you to reconsider and replace it for a tube style UV light. Coil UV bulbs have a bad reputation for causing eye problems.

Under gravel heat mat you say? This won'twork for your little torts. They need heat coming from overhead. A dome fixture housing a regular 65 way or 75 watt house bulb can do the trick. Hang the fixture at a height that gives you a basking spot of 95F or so.

Does this help you with understanding lighting?

Hides are good.

What are you using for substrate?

Sent from my TFOapp

 

[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

I kind of understand can you either give me sites to buy them ? Or pictures to see what you mean with the lighting? And im using rabbit pellets for the mean time.

please and thank you

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Ditch the pellets, too. They are no good. You can buy a bag of plain top soil for $2 at Home Depot or any garden center. Dirt is the way to go!

I'll try and get some pics for you tomorrow...I'm going to bed right now

Sent from my TFOapp

 

[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

Okay haha sounds good thank you I get them tomorrow so ill send a picture of the light im using since im on a budget.

please and thank you

 

[ascott]

http://www.reptileuv.com/

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/docs/aspects-of-light-and-reptile-immunity.pdf

Just some good points of reference for better over all understanding.