Should I leave my torts heat lamp on over nigh?

[crystal1128]

Im a new proud mom of a 4 year old Sulcata Tortoise. He is indoors as its to cold outside. At night it gets down to about 70 in the house. Should I leave his heat lamp on over night? I keep is UVB lamp on during the day when he is not running around the house.

 

[gregcalverley0327]

What are the temps inside the enclosure? With the humidity and everything it'll be colder in the enclosure so your probably going to want to get a CHE or ceramic heat emitter to leave on all the time

 

[Zouave]

I leave the CHE on 24/7 and the UVB bulb is on a timer. If he is free to roam the house, I hope you've tort proofed.

 

[cemmons12]

I use a 100 watt red heat lamp at night and he has an under the tank heater. Sulcata's need a temp of 90-100 to bask in and help digest their food, and a temp of 80-82 in the cool side of the enclosure.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

I leave the CHE on 24/7 and the UVB bulb is on a timer.

Ditto.

 

[Redstrike]

I leave the CHE on 24/7 and the UVB bulb is on a timer.

Ditto.

I like CHE's for this reason.

Vertebrates contain a light-sensitive pineal gland as part of their endocrine system. It's really important in sleep cycles, secreting melatonin in the absence of light making it important for wake/sleep cycles and seasonal cues (mating, hibernation, etc.) It responds to light/dark cycles, so I see this as a biological reason for providing my tortoises light-free sleep at night using a CHE rather than a light-emitting source.

 

[karleyreed]

I also leave my CHE on 24/7 just adjusting the temperatures from day to night

 

[crystal1128]

I leave the CHE on 24/7 and the UVB bulb is on a timer. If he is free to roam the house, I hope you've tort proofed.

 

[Laura]

how big is your 4 year old?
what are your plans in a few years when he is much bigger? can you house outside?

 

[crystal1128]

how big is your 4 year old?
what are your plans in a few years when he is much bigger? can you house outside?

He is 15lb right now. Yes we have plenty of room outside for him.

 

[Eweezyfosheezy]

70 degrees is perfectly fine for night time temps for your tortoise.