do we really need uv lamps

[EJ]

No argument there considering that we do not know how much UVB is required.

It is obviously a viable option.

Potassium.

Originally Posted by Helen M

Surely it's better to allow tortoises to regulate their uv exposure as they're meant to without added complications of their bodies having to deal with d3 from the use of nutrobal and such. I'm just not convinced it's a viable option when the likes of nutrobal are very highly concentrated (pinch per 2kg of animal) therefore likely to be overdone in small animals.

How do tortoises regulate their d3 through dietry uptake?

Helen xx

[NATURALIS]

Originally Posted by EJ

How much UVB is required?

I take it you didn't want to answer my question , tortoise's can regulate uvb

[Helen M]

Originally Posted by EJ

No argument there considering that we do not know how much UVB is required.

It is obviously a viable option.

Potassium.

So i'd still say leave it to your tort to regulate it's own uv needs via it's skin. Saves the guesswork.

Helen xx

[EJ]

Ummmm... you didn't answer mine. Yes tortoises can regulated UVB through exposure. Is this intentional or incedental through basking... are they basking for thermoregulation or for UVB uptake... my money is on thermoregulation and the UVB is incidendal... which doesn't answer the question one way or the other.

Supplementation is a viable option.

Originally Posted by red foot marg

I take it you didn't want to answer my question , tortoise's can regulate uvb

[EJ]

You are totally correct... but...

There's the rub... not all tortoise keepers have the option.

Originally Posted by Helen M

So i'd still say leave it to your tort to regulate it's own uv needs via it's skin. Saves the guesswork.

Helen xx

[NATURALIS]

Originally Posted by EJ

Ummmm... you didn't answer mine. Yes tortoises can regulated UVB through exposure. Is this intentional or incedental through basking... are they basking for thermoregulation or for UVB uptake... my money is on thermoregulation and the UVB is incidendal... which doesn't answer the question one way or the other.

Supplementation is a viable option.

talking **** again

[terrypin]

so what about visible uva and the increased activity noticed by many keepers when they first started using combi lamps indoors.

terry

[EJ]

Check out the authors of those first observations which were totally dismissed.

Mercury vapor lamps and vitalites were created for fish... then lizards. Nobody thought to use them for tortoises... except for those keepers who had the foresight to understand the physiology of the the tortoise.

Not the point. (It is UVB but I'll chalk it up to a typo) The point is that supplementation is a viable option... This is why D3 is added to dairy products... mostly for the northern lattitudes...

Originally Posted by terrypin

so what about visible uva and the increased activity noticed by many keepers when they first started using combi lamps indoors.

terry

[terrypin]

Originally Posted by EJ

Check out the authors of those first observations which were totally dismissed.

Mercury vapor lamps and vitalites were created for fish... then lizards. Nobody thought to use them for tortoises... except for those keepers who had the foresight to understand the physiology of the the tortoise.

Not the point. (It is UVB but I'll chalk it up to a typo) The point is that supplementation is a viable option... This is why D3 is added to dairy products... mostly for the northern lattitudes...

totally dismissed by whom.
what do you mean its not the point and it is not a "typo"

[EJ]

UVA is worthless in calcium metabolism... Plants are a different story.

Check out the archives of the TT yahoo group circa 2001.

Again... the point is supplementation... it is a viable option.

Originally Posted by terrypin

totally dismissed by whom.
what do you mean its not the point and it is not a "typo"