Sweaters?

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
51,103
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
She has a carpeted room
You really need to read the caresheet and get her set up properly. Carpet is not meant for tortoises and the fibers can cause impactions.
She needs proper tortoise substrate, heat, UV, water, hydration, temps, all that is meant for the species you have.
Changes are needed ASAP.
 

Alex and the Redfoot

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2023
Messages
2,508
Location (City and/or State)
Cyprus
Wouldn't darker skin maximize the D3 synthesis as darker colors attract heat/sun more? Or, is what you are saying, the lighter skin would let it in easier?
Thanks for the post.
There is an old article on the topic (biochemistry and physiology, probably, have advanced since then): http://www.uvguide.co.uk/skintests.htm
It's not about tortoises, but gives general idea why pale skin can be beneficial for UV absorbtion.

Yet, markw84's idea is interesting. I wish we could see some recent research on this topic.
 

The_Four_Toed_Edward

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2024
Messages
1,069
Location (City and/or State)
Finland
Many tortoises from very hot areas, as well as many forest tortoises, have light colored skin which would maximize D3 synthesis starting in a less amount of time exposed.
And the second reason for light skin could be to prevent overheating. There are some studies of Russian tortoises being darker in colder areas and lighter in hotter areas. Couldn't find them now, but the hypothesis is that it has to do with attracting heat.
 

New Posts

Top