It's just really expensive and I can't afford it right now....
2007-10-24 05:47:29 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
There is a difference between florescent and UV light. Turtles need UV light. If they don't get proper UV light they cannot process the vitamins in their diet and the develop metabolic bone disease and eventually die. If buying the proper lighting is a problem there is an easy way to get around it. The sun is the best source or UV lighting you can find. And it's free. IF the weather in your area isn't too cold you can put your turtle outdoors for a little while each day. They will get a lot of the UV rays that they need and maybe even get some exercise. You could even have a little container out there for him in case you are afraid of him running off and losing him. Just make sure the container has a good screen lid (glass BLOCKS UV rays). Good luck.
2007-10-24 08:17:09 · answer #1 · answered by Boober Fraggle 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You say you can't afford it right now... well if you plan on being able to afford it in the future then you will be okay for a while if you 1. make sure that they can still get out of the water to dry off; this helps stop shell rot. 2. feed them a food that has vitamin d supplement (which turtles can't make for themselves unless provided with uvb lighting),
and 3. Get them a cuttlebone for calcium. THis is sold for birds for about a dollar or two. Break of a piece and float it at the top of their tank for them to get a calcium supplement.
Relying on these things for a little while, a few months i guess at the most, your turtles won't suffer any major damage. But definitely do get a uva/uvb light asap!!
2007-10-25 11:20:31 · answer #2 · answered by mr_fillerbunny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eventually...metabolic bone disease. Most of the time this disease is Treatable, however, can cause fungus and severe deformities in your herp if not cared for properly. If you are going to make the commitment to keep these animals captive, you need to meet thier required needs. I do not recommend this for more than a short while. If your turtle is in an outdoor enclosure and needs to be brought in for the winter, he will be fine fo rthe time being, although I dont recommend it and if you choose not to spend a little money to get one of these lamps, you must suppliment their diet with x-tra calcium. Chances are if you cant afford $20 for a light every 6 months than you shouldnt have an animal, sorry if this offends you, cause your intentions may be good, with animals comes monetary cost. What if something happened to you turtle, like metabolic disease and you had to take him to the vet for treatment, how would you pay for the $200+ vet bill, think of it that way. 20 bucks now or 200+ bucks later??
Good luck!
2007-10-24 06:47:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Plain flourecent lighting is not that big of a deal. i assume you mean the UVB lighting.
As long as the turtles are getting a good, varied diet that includes good pellets and live or frozen/thawed foods (small fish, worms, insects, etc.), it will be OK- dietary vitamin D3 is a good replacment for UVB lighting.
However, UVB does other things for keepers- helps disinfect the water, control illness, etc.- so use it whenever you can.
One of the annoying things about UVB bulbs is that most of them stop giivng UVB in about 6 months!
2007-10-25 04:41:28 · answer #4 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I used to have these turtles when I was a child. We didn't use fluorescent lights for them. That was because people often used to keep them in little bowls or aquariums that didn't have lights. We didn't have any problems with the turtles. That could have been because we used to keep them in an outdoor pool in the summer and put them in an aquarium in the house in the winter. I remember the aquarium was near a window so they could have been receiving UV rays from sunlight. This light can go through glass.
2007-10-24 08:10:05 · answer #5 · answered by RoVale 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Nothing. I kept 2 red eared sliders for 6 years with no UV light because the pet shop never said I needed one. They were just fine. They died because my grandpa suggested we put them outside on our deck in their tank , and we didn't know that they would bake to death. You could also take your slider outside for a little bit everyday to get the UV naturally, but just watch to make sure it doesn't run away. Good Luck!
2007-10-24 08:08:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Turtles need both UVA and UVB rays to be healthy and happy. If they don't get it they will develop serious shell conditions which will lead to death. You will either pay for the bulb now, or pay for vet bills or the turtle will pay the price (death) later.
2007-10-24 06:26:24 · answer #7 · answered by LLS761 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Then give the turtle to someone who can care for it. They need proper lighting or they will end up with shell conditions or death...
HHH
2007-10-24 05:56:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Exotic animals require more experience than do domestic pets and can get quite costly as you already know. If you can't give the care that is required, please find them another loving home so that they will be cared for properly. PLEASE, don't jeopardize their lives, see that they get the care they need.
2007-10-24 06:24:41 · answer #9 · answered by veggurl21 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋