Do redfoots shed and mvb question ?

[sherlock15]

Do redfoots shed ? I ask because on the top if my torts head the skin looks like its peeling and I've been soaking him more often so I know he's not dry. I'm getting a new mvb and I also have a day time bulb. Would it be ok to keep the day time bulb on for 14 hours and keep the mvb on for less like the times it would normally be hottest in the day. For like 5 hours or would it be not enough?

 

[jaizei]

All reptiles shed; it's just less noticeable on tortoises than on snakes and some lizards. As long as everything else is right, it's probably preferable to have the MVB on for only part of the day instead of the entire 14 hours.

 

[sherlock15]

How long should the mvb be on ?

 

[jaizei]

It's up to you. I have more trouble with overheating than anything else in the summer, so I've done anywhere from 3-5 hours. Which 3-5 hours (whether earlier or later in the day) will depend on your tortoises behavior.

Just a note; I do not rely on bulbs for 100% of my UVB needs. If you do, then you may want to err on the longer side of time.