Russian tortoise - winter care

[Outsiders71]

First off anyone else have one of these? If so what kind of artificial lighting are you using with your indoor habitat for the winter?

I did some reading that they require UV-A and UV-B in order to stay healthy. Does anyone know if Phillips Daylight Deluxe florescent bulbs output any UV-A/B? It doesn't say anything about UV on the bulbs. I'm using a 48" shoplight with 2 daylight deluxe bulbs to light his habitat anyways. I know you can buy a basking light, but the clamp fixture itself is $35 then you have to pay for the bulb. So any info on this stuff would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[PlantAKiss]

If you are talking about a real tortoise (not a plant named Russian Tortoise...a name that might fit a slow-growing nep or something...

)... your subject might be better served in the Herp forum. I can move this topic for you if you like...or it can stay here.

 

[Outsiders71]

Yes it is a tortoise, not a plant.

 

[Outsiders71]

No one knows?

 

[Tony Paroubek]

Normal fluorescent bulbs do not put out much UV.

Your basically talking a tanning bulb. They make special bulbs for reptiles. Is the animal outdoors now getting real sunshine? If it is indoors all the time then it would need the special bulbs all year long I would imagine.

 

[Outsiders71]

He's indoors now. I had to bring him inside because it is dropping too low at night now. I was just wondering if there's some bulbs for a 4ft shoplight fixture, that can get the job done. I have him on a shelf underneath my plants.

 

[Tony Paroubek]

Quote[/b] (Outsiders71 @ Oct. 01 2005,6:21)]I was just wondering if there's some bulbs for a 4ft shoplight fixture, that can get the job done.

I am sure there are but you're deffinately talking about a specialized bulb and it's not something you will find in your homecenter.

Reptile bulbs from the pet shops come in 4' length
DrFosterSmith reptile bulb

 

[The Griffin]

Your Petco and Petsmart stores should also have some stuff, if you don't want mail order..
Our friend Mike Howlett runs an excellent business for reptile supplies:

http://www.houstonherp.com/DryGoods.htm

Cheers,

Joe

 

[Outsiders71]

Thanks for the info guys.

I got 2 of these for $50:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/MainPro/Itemdy00.aspx?T1=R28+0495+0348

Kinda pricy, but better than wasting $50 on a stupid basking light that my tortoise would probably avoid anyways.