Habitat - Indoor :: Basking

[asianraven]

Do you guys think it is ok to not have a light on, since my turtle basks in the natural sun that shines through the window or should I just keep a uvb light on for 10 hours?

[Caelestis]

You need to leave the light on and keep it away from the window. Windows were made to filter out UV radiation, which is not good for the turtle.

[shelach]

i think your not supost to have the tank where direct sun light can hit it, as this can cause wild changes in temp. inside the tank.

Also im not sure how much UV makes it throu the window....

The tank needs to be where you can controll a stable temp. not infront of a sunny or drafty window, and out of the way of AC drafts.

[asianraven]

This is a wild turtle though, found it near a street.

[Safdar]

It doesnt matter if its wild
Now that you took it home
Its captive

The window will filter out the UV rays
You can use a regualr house bulb to create the heat for basking
And you need a UVB bulb for those rays
Again the windows are made to filter those rays out
So your gunna need a bulb

Leave the UVB light on the same times the regualr light is on
Yes leave it on 10 hours

[shelach]

weather the turtle comes from the wild or not,
it still has the same needs.

[Kallistos]

Is the turtle in good health? If it is, then you should really find out where the turtle came from, the nearest pond or river is the most likely place. Now, if you live in the city, then he's probably a captive turtle that's been released.

In that case, you yourself have to make the decision. Are you really ready to take care of a turtle? They're a LOT of work, for more basic care information you can check out the RES Basic Care link at the top of the web page.

[Caelestis]

%99+ of UV rays going through the window are filtered. Make sure you don't get the exo-terra 2.0 tube. I didn't know the version # (2) was the % of UV the bulb was until after I bought it. That's the only brand I saw at petsmart though.

[turtleowner]

it is not okay since the glass of the window filters out the uv rays and it doesn't do any good to the turtle.

[marisa]

How big is the turtle? Are you sure it's wild and not a pet that someone let go? If it's wild and there are any pond or brooks nearby, you might consider releasing it.

[shelach]

i agree with Marisa.

I think its hard for an animal (any kind) to go from the wild to even the niced incloser.
if its a baby or born in captivity it does not know what it is missing. If its lived free, do you realy want to take that away?