Do turtles NEED a heat lamp?

Question

I recieved two turtle for X-mas. And I not so sure how to take care of them. Ive gone on websites but how do I know to trust the sites?

Answer 1

Turtles and other reptiles need some sort of heating element in their enclosure. Reptiles are 'cold blooded', which means they cannot produce their own body heat. Instead, they rely on their environment to bring their temperature up to a point where their body can perform all the needed activities - metabolism, namely. This is where the rock or the lamp comes in - it provides a place for them to warm up.

Because of the fact they cannot regulate internal body temperature, it is best to give them one spot where they can go to warm up their body, not just heat up the entire enclosure. Just as important as it is for them to warm up, they need to be able to move away from it to cool down. In the wild, they might go underwater or in the shade.

Answer 2

well, what kind of turtles are they? if they are aquatic, for the love of bob do not do what someone said and give them a heat rock. It will electicute them. Of they are a land turtle, then, well, still don't give them a heat rock. Those things are garbage. if the animal spends too much time on the rock, they can heat themselves up too much. if it is the only source of heat, then when they are not on the rock, then it's too cold.

i'll assume red ear slider, cooter, map, or painted turtle as they are the most common and affordable. here's a supply list and the reasons why incase you weren't given the full set up for christmas.

A forty gallon tank at least with a screen top. The smallest turtles will get to be 6-12 inches in diameter and will need the space to grow and swim. 20 gallons per turlte. PetSmart sells a forty with a screen top for 119.99

UVA/UVB flouecent lighting. This lighting is esential and your turtles will develop metabolic bone disease and eventually die without it. This light make sunlight indoors, and it helps the turtles utilize calcium to make hard bones and shell. Without the light, your turtles cannot use calcium. Most windows have filter that blocks ultraviolet light for humans, so putting your turtles near a window will not work. Get at least a 5.0% bulb. It will cost $40. for the fixture and the bulb. ESU reptile makes one called slimline for 32.99

Heat lamp. It depends on yor tank what size you get. Ask the person at the perstore for more details. It should be under $20 for the light and the lamp.

Temp and Humidity gauges, 12.99

Basking spot. the turtles must be able to get out of the water and dry out to aid in digestion and keeping fungal and bacterial onfections down. I like turtles docks. 9.99-19.99

tank heater. go by how much water is in the tank, not how many gallons the tank is. 5 watts per gallon. do not go over. set the teperature to around 75 degrees. the basking lamp may raise the temp an bit so you want it to be cooler than the air so the turtle can regulate his body temp. 19.99-24.99

Filter. whisper has an i (internal) series that is perfect for turtle tanks. get one based on the number of gallons and then double it. If you have ten gallons of water, you should get the 20-i. it will run 11.99-24.99

food. make sure you are offering a variety of food including veggies, live plants, crickets, worms, and pellets. do not fall into the trap of feeding only pellets or only fish. it's nutrient difficient. it will run you about $5 a week to feed your turtle.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

Most turtles are going to need a heat light for basking, and a UVB light for calcium absorption. A regular household light bulb will work as a heat lamp, but the size of your enclosure and the size of your turtles will determine the wattage you need.

I've been doing rescue for 8 years, and have had over 250 turtles pass through my hands in that time, with several animal shelters and state agencies relying on me for advice. So, if you want to take my word for it, the following websites are good:

http://www.turtleforum.com - care sheets and lots of experienced keepers.

http://members.tripod.com/~Draybar/draybarturtles.html and http://www.turtlepuddle.org/health/small_tank_filter.html has some GREAT ideas for aquariums.

http://www.angelfire.com/il3/janice/pondconstruction/construction.html shows how to build a pond and has links to ponding sites.

Also try the book, The General Care and Maintenance of Red-Eared Sliders by Philippe de Vosjoli from Advanced Vivarium Systems, Santee, CA (1992), available in most pet stores or from http://www.amazon.com

Answer 4

Yes. They also need a UVA/UVB strip light bulb (this simulates sunlight). What kind of turtles are they? If you are calling them turtles and they are actually tortoises, they are land creatures. They need to have adequate space within their habitat - for a tortoise, you need to figure out what size it will be as an adult and adjust for that. For a water turtle, more or less the same thing. They may be cute and small right now, but they will get larger!

I would try tortoisetrust.org or kingsnake.com (go to the forums sections - they are really helpful!), if you are looking for care sheets for your turtles. In addition to what these sites will tell you about accomodations, they will also instruct you in proper diet, etc.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

Here is the deal. Assuming these are Red-ear sliders, you need to heat the water to about 75-80F and the basking site to about 90F.

Heat lamps are good for heating the basking sites, but they do not help a lot with the water- that is best done with a good thermostatically controlled aquarium heater.

They also need UV-B rays in their light, which do not pass most glass or plastic and are not provided by heat lamps.


For a couple good, trustworthy sites for turtle care, try:
- http://www.austinsturtlepage.com
- http://www.redearslider.com
- http://www.tortoise.org

Answer 6

you should get a UV-lamp particularly for reptiles. you ought to purchase this at any good puppy save, and the tube ought to fee $20 - $30. in case you do not have already got a hood to hold the bulb you will desire a variety of too. remember that it somewhat isn't any longer a similar with the aid of fact the basking gentle, which ordinarily promises heat temperature.

Answer 7

hi there
yes they do they also need a heater and place to get out of the water as well put the heat lamp there...about a 65 watt bulb

Answer 8

congrads we have two turtles two we let them stay in the pond for the summer and in a tank for the winter all my son has is a big rock and sum water so they can swim make sure the rock is part way out of the water , they eat turtle food or my sons gives them wroms and hot dogs n bolanga yeah really my turtles r weird lol but they r happy n healthy

Answer 9

yes, cuz it is a reptile. The lightbulb acts like the sun and it gives the tuttle heat.( if u got the rite lightbulb.)

Answer 10

i wanta know too, cause im just using a regular lamp, and i think its not right to use a regular lamp help?!?!!?