General Care Discussion :: Is it safe to make my turtles nocturnal?

[MVB]

Hi, I have another more pressing question over in the Urgent Care forum, but this is something I've been meaning to ask.

My turtles are placed fairly far away from the window in my apt, because it's the only place their tank will fit. They don't get much natural light, so mainly they're lit by the Mega-Ray bulb I have pointed down on their basking spot. The apt doesn't get much light anyhow.

I'm not really at home very often during the day, but I've started to notice that both turtles are sleeping a lot during the daytime hours when the turtle lamp is on. As a result, they're not basking a great deal. I notice that they're far more active in the evening and at night when my wife works (she herself is on a nocturnal schedule). The lights in the room at night make the room brighter than it ever is in the day time, so I think they're already confused about day and night.

I was wondering if it would be OK to start running the turtle lamps during the night hours when we're awake and letting them sleep during the day? Maybe it would encourage them to bask more?

-MVB

[steve]

I've heard it being done, but I don't know of any long term situations/results from this type of setup. They should have total darkness to sleep easier though I think they are good at sensing the time of day.

[MVB]

Often during the day they sleep with their heads tucked in, or tucked behind rocks. I think they sleep then because the day is the darkest time for them.

[steve]

Have you taken their temps while basking? RES are often awake during basking, or for a majority of that time. I wouldn't do it if the only reason is that they're not getting natural light.