As pets tortoises can live for a long time—20 to 30 years is not uncommon. They are however cold-blooded animals and so require an external heat source to maintain their body temperature. This is usually provided in the form of a heat lamp which should be on for 12 to 14 hours a day.
There are a few things to consider when choosing a heat lamp for your tortoise. The first is the wattage of the bulb. A 40-watt bulb is sufficient for a small tortoise while a 60-watt bulb is better for a larger tortoise. The second is the type of bulb. Incandescent bulbs are cheaper but don’t last as long as ceramic bulbs which are more expensive but last longer and put out less heat.
When setting up the heat lamp it’s important to create a gradient so that your tortoise can move from the hot side to the cool side as needed. The hot side should be about 95 degrees Fahrenheit while the cool side should be about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to achieve this is to use a bulb with a higher wattage on the hot side and a lower wattage on the cool side.
It’s also important to provide a UVB light source as tortoises need UVB light to absorb calcium and vitamin D3. This can be provided by a fluorescent tube light or a mercury vapor bulb. The light should be on for 12 to 14 hours a day and should be placed on the cool side of the tortoise’s enclosure.
Tortoises are most active during the day so it’s best to turn the heat lamps off at night. If you need to leave them on overnight you can use a lower wattage bulb or turn the bulb off for a few hours to give your tortoise a chance to cool down.
Following these guidelines will help your tortoise stay healthy and happy.
How long should a tortoise heat lamp be on?
A tortoise heat lamp should be on for 12 hours a day.
How often should I change the bulb in my tortoise heat lamp?
You should change the bulb in your tortoise heat lamp every 6 months.
What kind of bulb should I use in my tortoise heat lamp?
You should use a basking bulb in your tortoise heat lamp.
Where should I place my tortoise heat lamp?
You should place your tortoise heat lamp on one side of the enclosure so your tortoise can move to the other side to cool down if it gets too hot.
Is it okay if my tortoise heat lamp gets wet?
No it is not okay if your tortoise heat lamp gets wet.
How can I tell if my tortoise heat lamp is working?
You can tell if your tortoise heat lamp is working if the bulb is emitting light.
How hot should my tortoise heat lamp be?
Your tortoise heat lamp should be between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
What should I do if my tortoise heat lamp isn’t working?
If your tortoise heat lamp isn’t working you should check the bulb to see if it needs to be replaced.
How close should my tortoise be to the heat lamp?
Your tortoise should be about 12 inches away from the heat lamp.
What happens if my tortoise gets too close to the heat lamp?
If your tortoise gets too close to the heat lamp it could get burned.
What happens if my tortoise doesn’t have a heat lamp?
If your tortoise doesn’t have a heat lamp it could get sick and die.
Can I use a regular light bulb as a heat lamp?
No you cannot use a regular light bulb as a heat lamp.
Do I need a heat lamp if my tortoise is alive?
No you do not need a heat lamp if your tortoise is alive.
Will my tortoise be okay if I only turn the heat lamp on for a few hours a day?
No your tortoise will not be okay if you only turn the heat lamp on for a few hours a day.
Is it okay to turn the heat lamp off at night?
Yes it is okay to turn the heat lamp off at night.
