Habitat - Indoor :: Too hot?

[FLhaven4strays]

I just changed around the above tank basking area / lights and now the temp ranges from 88 to about 100. I've seen both the 2.5" map & the 1 3/4" painted basking today in all areas - even into the 100 degree area. They seem to like it and moved around from spot to spot, but I'm curious if it can possibly be healthy? I hadn't had a temp reading yet when I saw them basking in the hotter area, otherwise I would've changed the bulb right then...but now, having seen them use it I'm left wondering...

What is too hot? Should I leave it or change it? I was using a weaker bulb, but then the majority of the basking area was too cool (under 85) and they tended to stay in just the one spot where it was directed. Now I've moved the bulb, upped it to 100w and have it directed over the entire 16" basking area.

[scripta_elegans]

If they are basking, and they can move around to different temps, it should be fine. mine is 86-108, so they choose where they want to be. There is an occasional turtle pile, but they do that anyway.

[FLhaven4strays]

If they are basking, and they can move around to different temps, it should be fine. mine is 86-108, so they choose where they want to be. There is an occasional turtle pile, but they do that anyway.

108?? Boy, am I glad to have found this site! If I hadn't heard of someone else letting their turt use temps like that I'd flip if the therm said 108. Yes...they have well over a foot to roam in, and from what I've seen the past couple hours they are actually climbing the corkbark to get to the hottest possible place. Huh. Thanks for setting my mind at ease.

[emma]

Once my basking temps got up to the 120's! My turtles still would bask though, I think there was something wrong with my thermometer. (hopefully)

[marisa]

If a turtle is native to a temperate, not tropical area, I think some of those temps are too high. Having a basking area large enough for a temp gradient certainly helps, but over time, I think excessive heat can cause problems for a turtle, even if they appear to be basking in the higher ranges listed above. (And I don't believe a turtle would bask for any length of time if the temp were in the 120's---I agree, it sounds like there was a problem with the thermometer.)

[scripta_elegans]

It is just one spot directly under the MVB, on a very big basking area that gets that warm, and I don't think I have ever seen either of them in it. I think a range of basking temps gives them a better choice for thermoregulation, if there is enough space to do it. My kids prefer 90-95 as the temp, but they occasionally move to a slightly warmer or cooler spot. Spike likes to get adjusted so that her feet are in a warmer place than her head. She climbs up and adjusts for 10 minutes sometimes getting the perfect mix.

[industrial_girl_2000]

100 degree basking area is not a problem for a turtle.

My dad's pond in North Carolina has a ton of painted turtles in it & the temps in the local area often get to be 100 degrees in the summer. The turtles often sit on the logs all day in that humid heat. Same goes for Mississippi where RES's are originally from. The heat index is often over 100 down there but the turtles love it.

As long as their tank water stays between 75-80 degrees, then they can always hop off their basking area into the water to cool off, then 100 degrees basking is no problem at all.

[marisa]

What species of painted turtles are you talking about?

I think a 100F basking area can be a problem for a turtle, especially if the turtle can't get out of the heat.

If there's no air circulation (as in breeze) turtles may bask, but not for long. If you want to look for turtles in the wild, you have a better chance of seeing them earlier or later in the day. They tend to disappear for cooler places in the heat of the day.