Hello everyone,

I know that tortoises should have 12 hours of sunlight/UV a day and, therefore, I have my lamp on all day. At around 4.30 - 5.00pm my tortoises hide away and go to sleep. I was just wondering if I should leave the lamp on when they go to sleep or if it would be ok for me to turn it off? It seems silly to leave the lamp on when the tortoises are not benefitting from it. 

Thanks in advance,

Joanne xx 

Hi Joanne, Providing the temps. are ok and they have natural light coming in I would turn it off. I must admit that when the sun comes out I am lifting my lot out for some natural Uv otherwise they would sit under the lights all day. I do believe that once the tortoise is warmed up to the core even on the dullest days mine will go out for a while (even if they need a slight push).

What species do you have and what age are they? Some species are more sensitive to the cooler weather sneaking in than others.

HTH

Elaine

Thanks Elaine. My tortoises are Horsfields and Ruby is 1 year old and Lily is 1 month old.

Joanne xx

Hi Joanne

I should turn your lamps off if they have gone to bed.  Personally though I leave my lamps on until 6pm even though the tortoises have gone to bed - just in case 1 decides to come out and have a nosey around again

Helen