Tortoise Lighting: Which is right for my tortoise?

Following on from our Tortoise Housing blog. Here we will look at the different lighting setups available, which you will need for your new setup and which you should definitely avoid.

Lighting (bulbs) we will not accept;

• Any bulb under 60 watt - These cannot possibly reach 32-35 degrees, without being 6 inches or less from the tortoises back. This means that any heat given off, will only hit the tortoise and not spread across the roaming area as it should.

• UVA only bulbs - These do not provide any heat for the tortoise and only provides one half of the UV tortoise needs.

• Halogen lighting - Again, these do not provide enough heat for a tortoise and though their boxes generally claim UVA, it is never to the level that a tortoise would need

Lighting (bulbs) we will accept;

• All Mercury Vapour brands - If your table is under 3ft, you will require an 80 watt. For tables over 3ft, you will require 100 watt. We do not believe you will ever need 160 watt unless your table is 7ft or over, even then, you should ensure it is high enough that it creates a hot spot no hotter than 35 degrees Celcius.

• A 60 watt spot bulb, no higher than 6-10 inches from the tortoise's back. - These must always be accompanied by a UV compact bulb or a UV Strip light, no higher than 6 inches from the tortoise's back (strips must be replaced every 3-6 months). NOT ACCEPTED IN TABLES OVER 2FT.