do i really need a UV lamp hard to get in the UAE. Cant i keep my res (2.5") under direct sunlight.?

Question

with enough basking area.

Answer 1

No, you do not need UV lamp. It's good to have, but if you can bring it outside for at least 30 minutes a week, it's better than a weeks worth of artificial UV lighting.

I have raised and bred many turtles without UV lighting ocer their tanks. I have three RES right now for 8 years and doing quite wel without UV lighting. They get a balanced diet and in summer, they get some basking time outside. Just be careful the turtle does not overheat while outside (esepcially in UAE) and make sure it does not escape either. Have a drink and watch your turtle while it is outside in a tub.

Check out this article at ATP about UV lighting:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/guidetolighting.htm

Answer 2

You do not need a UV lamp if you can give your turtles access to direct, unfiltered sunlight (not through glass or plastic) for a couple hours a day. UV lights are merely a weak substitute for natural sun. Your animals need only a fraction of the time under the sun to develop the vitamin D3 that would normally take many hours under a fluorescent UV light. This vitamin is stored in the body. Make sure they have access to shade and water.

Answer 3

no you need a uvb/uva light or your lizards are going to slowly die from a bone disorder this will prevent the bones from bending