UVB question

[Moozillion]

I am planning on tweaking Elsa's indoor enclosure. I read somewhere that since we live in the Deep South (Louisiana) where she is outside in the sun from April through October and much of November, that she actually doesn't NEED artificial UVB during the 5 months or so that she's inside. Thoughts, opinions or experience on this? Thanks!

 

[Levi the Leopard]

My thoughts are if a hermanni (Elsa) would hibernate throughout winter normally, then how could it hurt to be without UV exposure during those few winter months.

My opinion is to not use artificial UV. It pales in comparison to the real thing anyway.

My experience has been to have a leopard tortoise go a few weeks in winter (6-8 weeks) with no UV at all and it hasn't caused an issue. He had regular sunshine before and after the cold winter period.

Of course anyone CAN offer artificial UV. There is no reason not to if you really want to. Maybe some people SHOULD offer it. But since you are asking, if you want to be without it for a winter enclosure, I think that's fine too. Sometimes during the winter I'll let the torts get nice and warm in a soak, then take them out for a short 10min roam in the sun to have a quick bit of UV.

 

[jaizei]

It goes back to the 'thrive vs survive' debate. Can they survive? Yes. But should you? I wouldn't go without access to UVB for too long. If I couldn't get mine outside at least several times a month, I'd make sure to provide it indoors.

 

[Sheldon the russian tortoise]

I live in louisiana too... Im paranoid about everything torts. What kind of tort
Do you have and if you cover there outdoor enclosure what is it with

 

[Tom]

We have a moderator here named Kristina. She's not active on the forum anymore, but she has dozens of tortoises of a variety of species. She lives in Cadillac MI and her torts are indoors for months at a time. Her tortoises live outside during the warmer months. She uses no artificial indoor UV at all ever, and experiences no problems.

I also do not use any indoor UV, but like Jaizei noted, mine get real sunshine even in the winter time here.

Here is what I think is a good strategy, and a safe bet: Put them in their outdoor pens for the warmer months and then get a fresh UV bulb every fall when they come in for the winter. Then by the time the UV output from the fresh bulb drops off after a few months, it will be just about time to get them back outside for some real sunshine.

 

[Moozillion]

Thanks, again, everyone!

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I live in louisiana too... Im paranoid about everything torts. What kind of tort
Do you have and if you cover there outdoor enclosure what is it with

I have a Hermann's. Her outdoor enclosure is entirely covered with 1/4 inch metal "hardware cloth." It extends 4 inches into the dirt. I chose to use the wire hardware cloth because there are both raccoons and rats in our area (Covington). Where are you?