Can tortoises get sunburn?

Merlin M · 08-04-2012, 01:56 PM

I know most animals if skin is exposed to lots of sun get sunburned but do tortoises?

JoesMum · 08-04-2012, 02:10 PM

Not as far as I'm aware. Their scales protect them.

Merlin M · 08-04-2012, 02:13 PM

yeah, but they also have thinner skin around their necks and legs, which they expose while basking, which at least appears to be less protected by scales...

I def. haven't heard of them getting sunburned...the idea just popped into my head...

JoesMum · 08-04-2012, 02:17 PM

Joe has never suffered despite being a garden tortoise in some of our longest hottest summers. In the wild they live in far harsher sun conditions than we get in the UK. I think it's so unlikely as to be near impossible

Merlin M · 08-04-2012, 02:21 PM

I did think it was unlikely, was thinking about how they shed skin and wondering if it could in part be due to UV damage...

Helen M · 08-04-2012, 02:26 PM

I don't think they'd get burns as such unless exposed to very high temperatures, but they can get overexposure to UV light if they are unable to escape the sun or UV lighting. This would cause MBD if allowed to go unchecked as the D3 produced would start to break down the animals bones. Just highlights the importance of providing sheltered areas both in indoor and outdoor enclosures.

Helen xx

JoesMum · 08-04-2012, 02:45 PM

Skin shedding is normal part of a reptile's life. They do it as they grow and throughout their lives. Snakes do it all in one go, tortoises do it more gradually.

You shed skin too... it's just not obvious. Most house dust is actually skin cells!

Merlin M · 08-04-2012, 02:59 PM

I know skin shedding is natural (and I work as a housekeeper in a museum and know far too much about dust) just curious...

and did not know too much D3 causes MBD

EJ · 30-04-2012, 08:53 PM

You might want to look into your belief about D3 a little further. I don't believe what you're stating is correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helen M

I don't think they'd get burns as such unless exposed to very high temperatures, but they can get overexposure to UV light if they are unable to escape the sun or UV lighting. This would cause MBD if allowed to go unchecked as the D3 produced would start to break down the animals bones. Just highlights the importance of providing sheltered areas both in indoor and outdoor enclosures.

Helen xx

Pussygalore · 01-05-2012, 08:04 AM

I think if they are oiled ( used to be a common practise) that the oil can cause burns as it causes the shell to heat up in the sun, its why you should never put anything other than water on their shell.

08-04-2012, 01:56 PM	#1
Merlin M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 4,186	Can tortoises get sunburn? I know most animals if skin is exposed to lots of sun get sunburned but do tortoises?

08-04-2012, 02:10 PM	#2
JoesMum Member Hatchling Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 717	Not as far as I'm aware. Their scales protect them. __________________ 1.0.0 Testudo Graeca Graeca (Mediterranean Spur Thigh) raised from very small and approximately 50 years old.

08-04-2012, 02:17 PM	#4
JoesMum Member Hatchling Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 717	Joe has never suffered despite being a garden tortoise in some of our longest hottest summers. In the wild they live in far harsher sun conditions than we get in the UK. I think it's so unlikely as to be near impossible __________________ 1.0.0 Testudo Graeca Graeca (Mediterranean Spur Thigh) raised from very small and approximately 50 years old.

08-04-2012, 02:45 PM	#7
JoesMum Member Hatchling Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 717	Skin shedding is normal part of a reptile's life. They do it as they grow and throughout their lives. Snakes do it all in one go, tortoises do it more gradually. You shed skin too... it's just not obvious. Most house dust is actually skin cells! __________________ 1.0.0 Testudo Graeca Graeca (Mediterranean Spur Thigh) raised from very small and approximately 50 years old.

08-04-2012, 02:13 PM	#3
Merlin M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 4,186	yeah, but they also have thinner skin around their necks and legs, which they expose while basking, which at least appears to be less protected by scales... I def. haven't heard of them getting sunburned...the idea just popped into my head...

08-04-2012, 02:21 PM	#5
Merlin M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 4,186	I did think it was unlikely, was thinking about how they shed skin and wondering if it could in part be due to UV damage...

08-04-2012, 02:26 PM	#6
Helen M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,362	I don't think they'd get burns as such unless exposed to very high temperatures, but they can get overexposure to UV light if they are unable to escape the sun or UV lighting. This would cause MBD if allowed to go unchecked as the D3 produced would start to break down the animals bones. Just highlights the importance of providing sheltered areas both in indoor and outdoor enclosures. Helen xx

08-04-2012, 02:59 PM	#8
Merlin M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 4,186	I know skin shedding is natural (and I work as a housekeeper in a museum and know far too much about dust) just curious... and did not know too much D3 causes MBD

01-05-2012, 08:04 AM	#10
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	I think if they are oiled ( used to be a common practise) that the oil can cause burns as it causes the shell to heat up in the sun, its why you should never put anything other than water on their shell.

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