Warm weather...time to go outside?

gatoruss · 21-04-2008, 03:21 PM

How much uvb is enough for a redfoot?

The weather here in Central Florida had warmed up considerably (we had been having an unseasonable cold spell). Midday temps are around 85F. My redfoot is a little over 6 weeks old. I am thinking that it might be a good idea to leave him outside during the day (morning temps starting at 64 F and climbing to 85 F), and bring him in during the evenings (night time temps are dipping down to 57-60 F). I would move his entire enclosure out in the morning and in at night.

I am setting up his enclosure outside on my screened in porch. He has morning access to direct sun for about 3-4 hours (with access to a hide spot and shade), then starting around noon his enclosure is in the shade of a tree for 5 or 6 hours. Then I bring him in for the night .

Any reason I shouldn't do this? Seem like I should take advantage of the warm weather and the natural uvb. But wanted some thoughts on weather this is enough uvb? When I have my baby tort in inside, I had been using a T-Tex uvb/Heat lamp for about 12-14 hours.

BTW - When outside, the enclosure is predator-proof.

Laraine · 21-04-2008, 04:24 PM

Hi so long as there are plenty of plants for shade, as you know Redfoots love to hide in the shade under plants. Make sure there is access to a nice big water dish as well. I'm sure they will love being outside in the warm weather, instead of inside.
I know I would!

linda · 21-04-2008, 08:44 PM

sounds ideal russ

gatoruss · 21-04-2008, 10:37 PM

Do you think that this will provide the tort with enough uvb? It was not my intention to put him under the light when I brought him inside for the evening.

linda · 22-04-2008, 02:06 PM

i should imagine so

ill pm dazza to have a look at this post

he has a uv reader so perhaps he could take readings outdoors in the shade etc and see what natural uv he records

Dazza · 22-04-2008, 02:33 PM

I can indeed take some UV readings in and around the shade which will be fine for us in the UK, but for Russ in the USA they would only be a guide as UV levels will be different in the USA!

The other consideration is the light levels needed to stimulate our tortoises, measured on a LUX meter i have one on order

And we all thought reptile husbandry was easy

For us torotise keepers, lighting is about obtaining the correct, temperature, UV Levels and suffient light levels-K to stimulate the tortoises - just goes to show that lighting is a process rather than a bulb

Dazza

linda · 22-04-2008, 02:48 PM

i forgot russ was in the uk

however it would be a useful guide for russ

and dazza i know lots of us uk people would definatly benefit from having a selection of uv and light readings

gatoruss · 22-04-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazza

I can indeed take some UV readings in and around the shade which will be fine for us in the UK, but for Russ in the USA they would only be a guide as UV levels will be different in the USA!

The other consideration is the light levels needed to stimulate our tortoises, measured on a LUX meter i have one on order

And we all thought reptile husbandry was easy

For us torotise keepers, lighting is about obtaining the correct, temperature, UV Levels and suffient light levels (LUX) to stimulate the tortoises - just goes to show that lighting is a process rather than a bulb

Dazza

What uvb and lux levels am I shooting for (not that I have meters

but I am going to see if I can find someone nearby who might).

I imagine that there is also a time factor involved...as in minimum uvb (and lux) for a specific period of time? What parameters are desirable? What are mimimum?

What I am trying to determine is if I can eliminate need for indoor light if I put tort outside in set up described above?

Thanks!

pawsplus · 22-04-2008, 05:08 PM

There is plenty of UVB in Florida, Russ. Remember that redfoots are forest torts -- not dense forest, but the edges. There is also plenty of UVB even in dappled shade. Make sure the enclosure is large enough for him to thermoregulate - an area in direct sun, a large area in dappled shade (plants, etc.) and several hiding areas. A tort that young will hide a LOT -- most of the time, in fact. 6 weeks is VERY young -- Beasley was 6 mos when she came home to me and she was tiny!

gatoruss · 22-04-2008, 06:33 PM

Saw this on the internet...I interesting discussion of uvb levels and the environmental and geographical factors that affect uvb levels.

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/uvinnature.htm

21-04-2008, 03:21 PM	#1
gatoruss Junior Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 32	Warm weather...time to go outside? How much uvb is enough for a redfoot? The weather here in Central Florida had warmed up considerably (we had been having an unseasonable cold spell). Midday temps are around 85F. My redfoot is a little over 6 weeks old. I am thinking that it might be a good idea to leave him outside during the day (morning temps starting at 64 F and climbing to 85 F), and bring him in during the evenings (night time temps are dipping down to 57-60 F). I would move his entire enclosure out in the morning and in at night. I am setting up his enclosure outside on my screened in porch. He has morning access to direct sun for about 3-4 hours (with access to a hide spot and shade), then starting around noon his enclosure is in the shade of a tree for 5 or 6 hours. Then I bring him in for the night . Any reason I shouldn't do this? Seem like I should take advantage of the warm weather and the natural uvb. But wanted some thoughts on weather this is enough uvb? When I have my baby tort in inside, I had been using a T-Tex uvb/Heat lamp for about 12-14 hours. BTW - When outside, the enclosure is predator-proof. __________________ Russ Keeping Tortoise: 0.0.1 Refoot Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria) Charlie Free loaders: 2.0.0 Labrador Retrievers (canis familiaris) Thunder & Lightning 0.1.0 Feline (felis catus) Hampton

21-04-2008, 04:24 PM	#2
Laraine Senior Member Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wirral Posts: 3,622	Hi so long as there are plenty of plants for shade, as you know Redfoots love to hide in the shade under plants. Make sure there is access to a nice big water dish as well. I'm sure they will love being outside in the warm weather, instead of inside. I know I would! __________________ Laraine ________________________

21-04-2008, 10:37 PM	#4
gatoruss Junior Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 32	Do you think that this will provide the tort with enough uvb? It was not my intention to put him under the light when I brought him inside for the evening. __________________ Russ Keeping Tortoise: 0.0.1 Refoot Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria) Charlie Free loaders: 2.0.0 Labrador Retrievers (canis familiaris) Thunder & Lightning 0.1.0 Feline (felis catus) Hampton

22-04-2008, 02:33 PM	#6
Dazza Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,486	I can indeed take some UV readings in and around the shade which will be fine for us in the UK, but for Russ in the USA they would only be a guide as UV levels will be different in the USA! The other consideration is the light levels needed to stimulate our tortoises, measured on a LUX meter i have one on order And we all thought reptile husbandry was easy For us torotise keepers, lighting is about obtaining the correct, temperature, UV Levels and suffient light levels-K to stimulate the tortoises - just goes to show that lighting is a process rather than a bulb Dazza __________________ www.inkaproducts.co.uk www.megaray.co.uk

22-04-2008, 06:33 PM	#10
gatoruss Junior Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 32	Saw this on the internet...I interesting discussion of uvb levels and the environmental and geographical factors that affect uvb levels. http://www.uvguide.co.uk/uvinnature.htm __________________ Russ Keeping Tortoise: 0.0.1 Refoot Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria) Charlie Free loaders: 2.0.0 Labrador Retrievers (canis familiaris) Thunder & Lightning 0.1.0 Feline (felis catus) Hampton

21-04-2008, 08:44 PM	#3
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	sounds ideal russ

22-04-2008, 02:06 PM	#5
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	i should imagine so ill pm dazza to have a look at this post he has a uv reader so perhaps he could take readings outdoors in the shade etc and see what natural uv he records

22-04-2008, 02:48 PM	#7
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	i forgot russ was in the uk however it would be a useful guide for russ and dazza i know lots of us uk people would definatly benefit from having a selection of uv and light readings

22-04-2008, 05:08 PM	#9
pawsplus Member Hatched Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Franklin, TN (USA) Posts: 474	There is plenty of UVB in Florida, Russ. Remember that redfoots are forest torts -- not dense forest, but the edges. There is also plenty of UVB even in dappled shade. Make sure the enclosure is large enough for him to thermoregulate - an area in direct sun, a large area in dappled shade (plants, etc.) and several hiding areas. A tort that young will hide a LOT -- most of the time, in fact. 6 weeks is VERY young -- Beasley was 6 mos when she came home to me and she was tiny!

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