Hey everyone,
My name is Nick for those who haven't seen my post in the introduction section and I live in Gatineau (Québec) near Ottawa.
I am by no means new to reptiles, since I have owned many species of snakes mostly and some lizards for the past 10 years +.
I am however new to tortoises! I have always wanted a Red Foot, but I wanted to wait till the timing was right and I knew I could provide an adequate environment for the next couple of decades! hehe
Well, I was very excited to finally pick up my first tortoise on last friday, a beautiful little Red Foot Hatchling born around march 24.
Before picking her up, I read carefully many times the caresheet at turtletary.com
Great caresheet, but there are some points that are ambiguous. I'm ok with dietary needs, temps, space, humidity...etc...
The one query I cannot solve is the mystery of UVB lighting....
Many caresheets suggest UVB (natural or artificial) for tortoises... But the caresheet at turtletary says NO UVB BEFORE 6 MONTHS!
I tried to make my own opinion by reading... Saw posts where people had tortoises with soft shells and they were recommended UVB... On the other hand, saw posts where young tortoises ended up with eye problems.
Living in Canada, it's still quite cold outside. In the summer, she will get her fare share of natural sunlight... But for the next 3-4 weeks, I just don't know what to do.
To provide artificial UVB or not to provide artificial UVB...That is the question!!!
If you are interested in knowing my setup to give better advice:
- She is kept in a 24''x 18'' plastic tub. The room temperature is 80 F. A heat emitter provides a 90 F hot spot. Two hides (1 cold, 1 hot).
-Substrate is Sphagnum moss kept moist (Sprayed 2- to 3 times a day)
- Food offered for the moment has only been endives which she/he has refused (not to worried about that, shes probably stressed).
On the menu will be dandelions, grape leaves, mulberry leaves, collards, peppers, shrooms... etc. Protein when she is 6 months +
Here is the little thing. Named her Lumière (Lulu)
Any advice (especially on the UVB thing) would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Nick
My name is Nick for those who haven't seen my post in the introduction section and I live in Gatineau (Québec) near Ottawa.
I am by no means new to reptiles, since I have owned many species of snakes mostly and some lizards for the past 10 years +.
I am however new to tortoises! I have always wanted a Red Foot, but I wanted to wait till the timing was right and I knew I could provide an adequate environment for the next couple of decades! hehe
Well, I was very excited to finally pick up my first tortoise on last friday, a beautiful little Red Foot Hatchling born around march 24.
Before picking her up, I read carefully many times the caresheet at turtletary.com
Great caresheet, but there are some points that are ambiguous. I'm ok with dietary needs, temps, space, humidity...etc...
The one query I cannot solve is the mystery of UVB lighting....
Many caresheets suggest UVB (natural or artificial) for tortoises... But the caresheet at turtletary says NO UVB BEFORE 6 MONTHS!
I tried to make my own opinion by reading... Saw posts where people had tortoises with soft shells and they were recommended UVB... On the other hand, saw posts where young tortoises ended up with eye problems.
Living in Canada, it's still quite cold outside. In the summer, she will get her fare share of natural sunlight... But for the next 3-4 weeks, I just don't know what to do.
To provide artificial UVB or not to provide artificial UVB...That is the question!!!
If you are interested in knowing my setup to give better advice:
- She is kept in a 24''x 18'' plastic tub. The room temperature is 80 F. A heat emitter provides a 90 F hot spot. Two hides (1 cold, 1 hot).
-Substrate is Sphagnum moss kept moist (Sprayed 2- to 3 times a day)
- Food offered for the moment has only been endives which she/he has refused (not to worried about that, shes probably stressed).
On the menu will be dandelions, grape leaves, mulberry leaves, collards, peppers, shrooms... etc. Protein when she is 6 months +
Here is the little thing. Named her Lumière (Lulu)
Any advice (especially on the UVB thing) would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Nick