is it okay to not have a basking light for my turtles?

Question

my mom doesnt wanna spend money on my turtles so i dont have a basking light is it okay if i dont

Answer 1

While it's something nice to have, I don't think you really need one. I used to keep turtles years ago and never used lights. The turtles seemed just fine without them. The turtles I had were water turtles so I always made sure they had a place where they could pull themselves out of the water to bask. These turtles do like to come out of the water from time to time.

Answer 2

It is not 100% necessary, although it's definitely a good idea because it will benefit their health and aid in digestion. Being cold blooded, they don't create body heat and use basking to raise their temperature. But I have seen people who have raised red eared sliders from hatchlings to adults without ever using any heat source, and they were perfectly healthy.

I have several aquatic turtles of various species who live in large water troughs in my backyard. They live outdoors all year long. They bask in natural sunlight, but they are pretty rugged too. Although it doesn't get too cold in the winter here in Texas, I have had a thin layer of ice form over the water, and it had no negative effects on them. Turtles up north hibernate in the muddy bottom of a pond or lake which is completely frozen over. In other words, a basking light is important and recommended, but not necessary to have a healthy pet.

Answer 3

You need two basking lights and it is NOT AT ALL OK to not have these lights. You need to light fixtures, clamp lamps are great. One 75 watt household bulb for heat (90F) and one UVB bulb which is detrimental for their health. The repti-glo 5.0 compact is like ten bucks at petsmart and is a great bulb. If you don't have these your turtle will not bask and get shell rot and die.

Don't rely on a window for heat and UVB. Glass filters out UVB and an open window will great a draft while a closed window will overheat the tank. Remember, you need ten gallons per inch of shell, water heater, dock, filter, and these lights. 78F water, 90F basking.
http://www.redearslider.com/index_lighting_basking.html

Check out http://www.redearslider.com for more help.

Taking care of turtles requires hard work and hundreds of dollars. I just turned sixteen and have bought most of the supplies I needed with some help along the way so it can be done.
Good luck.

Answer 4

No. A basking mild provides UV rays and turtles get their food from food and from the UV mild. without the food and heat temperature from the basking lamp, whether you're lights the tank it won't furnish an adequate ecosystem for the turtle. Please evaluate getting a UV bulb and study the instructions on use, that is taken into consideration necessary your puppy's well-being. :)

Answer 5

They need a basking light to keep them healthy. The light prevents disease and parasites. It also keeps their shell hard. If you don't have one you should get one!!!!

Turtles are avid baskers. They spend alot of time under the light. The light is their sun......Every breathing creature needs sunlight!!

Maybe you should get a job to help out with the costs....

Answer 6

http://happyturtle.ms11.net/LIGHTING.html
then get the turtle a better home