Tortoise species

[Yellow Turtle01]

The only reason I can't so outside is because of the weather right now. Even though I'm in south Texas the temperatures get down to freezing and we are having highs of 40-50. Which is way to cold

MVBs (mercury vapor bulbs) provided heat and UVB. Wit tube UVBs, you still need a heat bulb but bot are great options, and eaither will give you tort all the UVB he needs until summer, when he might be able to go outside.
Leopards get a little bit bigger at 14''+, so it would be very very hard to give him/her the space they need in the winter. What you could then, is have an outdoor heated house for said leopard to live in during inclement weather!

 

[Tom]

Should I use both coconut fiber and cypress mulch as bedding?

No. One or the other is fine. Which one depends on the species.

 

[Tom]

Also what UVB lighting should I use

Depends on your enclosure, species and mounting height. Many options, but just don't use a cfl of any kind.

 

[Tom]

How does a coil UVB hurt the tortoises ?

They sometimes burn their eyes.

 

[Tom]

With my hot dry climate is their a tortoise species you. Recommend ?

I think of south Texas as humid. If its dry, then a hermanni will do better and be easier to maintain than a RF.

You could also look into russians, stars, leopards, pancakes...

 

[Tom]

Will the tortoise still the get vitamin d it needs with the mercury bulb?

They don't get vitamin D from a light bulb. They get vitamin D from their diet. The UV from a good light bulb or the sun, allows the tortoise to convert vitamin D2 into the needed D3 in their skin.

 

[Tom]

Or what other bulb could I use besides a mercury bulb

Here is a russian care sheet. Care for a hermanni would be similar. Bulbs, and many other things are explained here:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Check these out too:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/semi-underground-russian-box.98590/page-2
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

By contrast, here is a care sheet for starting leopards or stars:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

 

[jaizei]

They don't get vitamin D from a light bulb. They get vitamin D from their diet. The UV from a good light bulb or the sun, allows the tortoise to convert vitamin D2 into the needed D3 in their skin.

I do not think this is correct.

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/vitdpathway.htm

 

[Tom]

I do not think this is correct.

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/vitdpathway.htm

Then you'll need to explain. Looks like the text and diagrams in your link say pretty much the same thing I did, but with a lot more technical language. How is what I said different?

 

[Zeko]

I do not think this is correct.

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/vitdpathway.htm

In the end, does it really matter the exact processes in which they use UVB or Vitamin D, when it is evident that they require it?

Do you sleep because your tired, or because Adenosine surrounding your neurons need to be flushed?

I for one know I just need sleep.

 

[jaizei]

The diagram shows the process by which 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) is converted into D3. 7DHC ≠ D2. Your skin does not convert D2 to D3.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D#Biosynthesis