- Joined
- Mar 22, 2013
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- 26
How many hours should they get of sun?!? When I go to sleep should I turn it off? When should I turn it on in the morning?
Wake up: 6:30 am
Go to sleep: 11:00 pm
Wake up: 6:30 am
Go to sleep: 11:00 pm
How much?
- Thread starter super_jane
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Where in the world are you?
Here in Southern California I let my leopard hatchling get natural sunlight in a safe outdoor pen for about 2 hours a day. As he grew I increased the amount of time per day. Now, at 1 year of age and 4 1/2" my leopard goes out in the morning 9am and comes in around 5pm.
The only days I kept my leopard from going outside were rainy, heavy winds, or less than 70F outside.
When keeping your leopard indoors you can have your lights on timers. 12hours on during the day and 12 hours off during the night. You can turn on/off the lights manually if you'd like. With your schedule turn on the lights around 7am and off again at 7pm.
Make sure to provide heat at night time. This can be achieved by using a CHE, ceramic heat emitter. They keep your tortoise warm while allowing the night to remain dark.
Here in Southern California I let my leopard hatchling get natural sunlight in a safe outdoor pen for about 2 hours a day. As he grew I increased the amount of time per day. Now, at 1 year of age and 4 1/2" my leopard goes out in the morning 9am and comes in around 5pm.
The only days I kept my leopard from going outside were rainy, heavy winds, or less than 70F outside.
When keeping your leopard indoors you can have your lights on timers. 12hours on during the day and 12 hours off during the night. You can turn on/off the lights manually if you'd like. With your schedule turn on the lights around 7am and off again at 7pm.
Make sure to provide heat at night time. This can be achieved by using a CHE, ceramic heat emitter. They keep your tortoise warm while allowing the night to remain dark.
Outside as much as possible is always best. As already said, 12 on, 12 off. Take a read of Toms threads below for raising a smooth healthy leopard. The sulcata threads also apply.
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2013
- Messages
- 26
Thanks so much! Well it's rather cold where I am right now (PA). Will he be ok- I have 2 bulbs one UVB and some other basking one. Haha I'd have to go look but the pet shop owner picked it all out so in sure it's right. Anyways, ( sorry I have a tenancy to blab) i also have an under the tank heater! Will this be ok?
Yes your leopard will be ok inside until the weather warms up.
Please double check your UV bulb. Pet stores usually sell the small coiled bulbs and they are very wrong when doing so. If your UV bulb is coiled discontinue it's use, return it and purchase the tube type of bulb. Coil bulbs are associated with eye issues in reptiles. If they supplied you with the long bulb then a big thumbs up to them, they got it right
I don't use under tank heaters and personally never will. I like to use a CHE for night heat. Others here do use them and hopefully they will chime in and comment on that. Ultimately as long as your night heat is 80F then you'll be fine.
Please double check your UV bulb. Pet stores usually sell the small coiled bulbs and they are very wrong when doing so. If your UV bulb is coiled discontinue it's use, return it and purchase the tube type of bulb. Coil bulbs are associated with eye issues in reptiles. If they supplied you with the long bulb then a big thumbs up to them, they got it right
I don't use under tank heaters and personally never will. I like to use a CHE for night heat. Others here do use them and hopefully they will chime in and comment on that. Ultimately as long as your night heat is 80F then you'll be fine.
I used to do 12 on 12 off during winter. Now that daylight is extended and summer is approaching I do 13 and 1/2 hours on, the rest off. I think this mimics natural season changes.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2013
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Pet shop workers are notorious for being wrong. Can you describe the details of your enclosure, and provide pictures?
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