Tortoise Staring at UVB bulb.

[Jakoob1190]

Hello. I just got my russian tortoise his first UVB lamp (the long one, not the compact one) and he has been trying to just climb to it and keeps staring at it ever since. I was wondering if it could damage his eyes (it is an arcadia 10% 18w lamp). Thank you.

 

[Yvonne G]

Yes, it could. How far away from the tortoise is the light?

 

[Jakoob1190]

It is just over 10 cm above the ground

 

[DanB]

10 cm, like 4 inches, .way to close in my opinion.

 

[Yvonne G]

Most lights' instructions that come with the light tell you to mount them no closer than 12", and that would be from the top of the tortoise's back.

 

[Jakoob1190]

Oh ok, I'll move it. But he is trying to climb towards it constantly, is that normal behaviour?

 

[DanB]

Most lights' instructions that come with the light tell you to mount them no closer than 12", and that would be from the top of the tortoise's back.

That would be 30cm

 

[Yvonne G]

Oh ok, I'll move it. But he is trying to climb towards it constantly, is that normal behaviour?

No, not normal. Probably because it's so close.

 

[Yvonne G]

That would be 30cm

I refuse to memorize those details. My brain is crowded enough as it is and fahrenheit, inches, feet, etc. has served me well for 80 years!