Vitamin D production via/without UVB

[TheLastGreen]

Now I've been confused about this for a long time, so hear me out.
I have no clue how the process works in torts. I know in humans UVB is required for it's production, and , I may be wrong, to activate it.
Now in torts I've heard they can get it through their diet directly, at the risk of a possible over dose in cases where they consume too much.
I know UVB is the safer version where no over dose can occur.
I almost want to ask what's the balance you should take considering both ways?

 

[Tom]

Its very difficult to overdose one, if not impossible, with normal over the counter reptile supplements.

The safe bet is to use real sunshine whenever possible, invest in the right good quality indoor UVB bulbs for people with frozen winters, and use a calcium supplement with D3 for and small growing tortoise that is kept mostly indoors. In other words, offer both indoor UV and a calcium with D3 supplement for indoor tortoises.

Any tortoise that is getting regular sunshine will not be harmed by a calcium supplement with D3 added.

The only way to have a problem with this is if you were to buy actual D3 and try to dose it yourself.