New Horsefield, advice and tips please

[JennyG]

Hello,
I’ve recently acquired a horsefield tortoise.I have been doing some research but it’s not very clear and conflicting.

he’s come with a infrared 25w spot bulb.
He hasn’t got a thermometer to check the temp, I’m waiting for this to come today.

I’m just wondering if you guys recommend this type of bulb or should I go for something else? And if so which one?

Also I’ve been reading he needs a uv light, which would you recommend?

The previous owner kept his infrared on at night and off in the day too.
Any help would be much appreciated ?

 

[JoesMum]

This is the care sheet you need which was written by a Horsfield expert working hard to counter the outdated information widely available on the internet and in books and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too. Please read it, ask questions and base your care on it.

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Infrared is not recommended for tortoises. They have excellent colour vision and little common sense. Red things are good to eat in a tort’s brain... even substrate and decor and you don’t want your tort eating those.

25W sounds too low. To get the desired basking temperature of 35-37C directly underneath at tortoise level the lamp will need to be too close.

I don’t know what thermometer you have on order, but you need a temperature gun like this for accuracy. The other kinds are useless for measuring basking temperature.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071NBJJ2Q/?tag=

 

[JoesMum]

For UV you need a fluorescent tube type reptile bulb. Don’t buy the kind that looks like a low energy light bulb as they cause eye problems in tortoises

 

[JennyG]

This is the care sheet you need which was written by a Horsfield expert working hard to counter the outdated information widely available on the internet and in books and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too. Please read it, ask questions and base your care on it.

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Infrared is not recommended for tortoises. They have excellent colour vision and little common sense. Red things are good to eat in a tort’s brain... even substrate and decor and you don’t want your tort eating those.

25W sounds too low. To get the desired basking temperature of 35-37C directly underneath at tortoise level the lamp will need to be too close.

I don’t know what thermometer you have on order, but you need a temperature gun like this for accuracy. The other kinds are useless for measuring basking temperature.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071NBJJ2Q/?tag=

Thank you for your reply.
I just want to make sure I give him the best care.