Re: Another hermanni question

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Posted by Jen B on March 27, 2001 at 16:30:57:

In Reply to: Another hermanni question posted by Marie on March 27, 2001 at 12:05:25:

Hi Marie--

You should give your Hermann's a calcium supplement that includes D3 daily, sprinkled onto their food. Tortoises need a lot of calcium for bone and shell development, and the D3 aids the tortoise in processing the calcium. Additionally, you should sprinkle a good multivitamin supplement on their food several times a week. I like the supplements made by Rep-Cal. I use their ultrafine Calcium with D3 and their Heptivite.

As far as lighting goes, you will need to provide full spectrum UV light (flourescent tube-style), particularly if you house your tortoises inside. UVB light is important for calcium processing (by providing D3) The light should be positioned 12 - 15 inches above the tortoises. Of course, keeping your tortoises outside in a sunny, secure enclosure (with shady areas to escape the heat) is ideal way to provide that UV light!

The other light for indoor enclosures that you will want to use is incandescent lamps for heat/ basking areas. Use the lights to provide a temperature gradient of about 70 on the cool side to mid-to-upper 80's on the warm side.

Give the tortoise about a 12 or 13 hour period of light per day. At night, all lights should be off. You can use a red or black coated bulb for night time heat (reptiles do not see red light very well).

I hope this helps. :-)

Jennifer

: I just recently acquired my pair of Hermann's tortoises and I want to make sure that they are getting everything that they need. What sort of vitamins should I be giving them? Also, could anyone tell me what type of light I should have for them? Any other helpful hints would be welcome as well. Thanks a lot.

Follow Ups:

Thanks Jennifer Marie 03/27/01 (1)
- No problem, Marie Jen B 03/28/01 (0)

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: Hi Marie-- : You should give your Hermann's a calcium supplement that includes D3 daily, sprinkled onto their food. Tortoises need a lot of calcium for bone and shell development, and the D3 aids the tortoise in processing the calcium. Additionally, you should sprinkle a good multivitamin supplement on their food several times a week. I like the supplements made by Rep-Cal. I use their ultrafine Calcium with D3 and their Heptivite. : As far as lighting goes, you will need to provide full spectrum UV light (flourescent tube-style), particularly if you house your tortoises inside. UVB light is important for calcium processing (by providing D3) The light should be positioned 12 - 15 inches above the tortoises. Of course, keeping your tortoises outside in a sunny, secure enclosure (with shady areas to escape the heat) is ideal way to provide that UV light! : The other light for indoor enclosures that you will want to use is incandescent lamps for heat/ basking areas. Use the lights to provide a temperature gradient of about 70 on the cool side to mid-to-upper 80's on the warm side. : Give the tortoise about a 12 or 13 hour period of light per day. At night, all lights should be off. You can use a red or black coated bulb for night time heat (reptiles do not see red light very well). : I hope this helps. :-) : Jennifer : : : I just recently acquired my pair of Hermann's tortoises and I want to make sure that they are getting everything that they need. What sort of vitamins should I be giving them? Also, could anyone tell me what type of light I should have for them? Any other helpful hints would be welcome as well. Thanks a lot.

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