I recently visited the Reptile Zoo in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and talked to their specialist on Russian tortoises. They have a nice Russian enclosure there, in my opinion. In their small store, they are offering a $35 UVB mercury vapor bulb (125W), which they said is currently preferable for Russians. Exo Terra and Zoo Med make the most affordable of these bulbs, and the cheapest one I see now on Amazon is from Exo Terra for a few dollars less than the Zoo offers. I was told to hang the light about a total of 30 inches from the tortoise's height, as my tortoise table will probably be a surface area of a few feet x a few feet (haven't been able yet to measure the exact amount of available space). It sounded like I'll also need another bulb just for the heat? He also told me the fluorescent bulbs may cause eye problems and cataracts in Russians (i.e., there is evidence but nothing substantial yet). It sounds like the employees at this Zoo truly care about reptiles and support the public in giving their animals the healthiest and happiest lives. Unlike pet stores, they do not sound like they're out to just make money.
Does this sound OK or should I make some adjustments before I build my tortoise table? Thanks!
Does this sound OK or should I make some adjustments before I build my tortoise table? Thanks!