If you need a pet that requires the least amount of effort to care for, a turtle is the best option because they often need very little to survive. Once you take care of the essentials, they will be alright. After that, you will only worry about getting them food and cleaning their tank.
Turtles are cold-blooded and can spend their day basking in the sun to keep their body warm and dry. They also require a basking area where they can heat and light since it is not possible to put them under sunlight all the time. A turtle will not survive for a long time without the right amount of heat and light.
How Long Can My Turtle Live Without a Heat Lamp?
Since turtles are wild animals, when you bring them home as a pet, they will notice the big difference in the temperature of their habitat and at your home. Bringing them home into captivity mean they are in an environment that they are not accustomed to. Though, turtles can adapt pretty well to a different climate, especially adult turtles. Some turtle species will live happily even when the temperature outside falls short of that in their natural habitat.
Baby turtles are mostly used as pets, and unlike adult turtles, they require a lot of attention and care to be well. Their bodies are not fully grown and will need a heat source to keep warm for the first three to five years. Also, they do not need any heat source when in hibernation.
What Alternatives Can I Use to Warm My Turtle?
Heat lamps are cheap and cheerful and are used as the best source of heat. The heat that they emit encourages turtles to bask underneath them as they would bask in the sun. If you do not have a heat lamp, one of your significant concerns of keeping your turtle well will be how to regulate their body temperatures. Since there are no indigenous turtles, there is a high possibility that the one you own is in an entirely different climate from where you can find it naturally.
As long as your turtle is healthy and in a conducive outdoor enclosure to keep them warm and dry, they can still survive without providing them with an external heat source. When you choose to bring a turtle home over winter, you will need an alternative heat source since it will mean that they will be avoiding hibernation and will be in for a cold winter.
In the wild, turtles will rely on sunlight for heat and the right vitamin through the ultraviolet rays. At home, ensure you provide your turtle with the right environment to keep them healthy and happy. The lack of heat can be why your turtle dies in captivity, so ensure that you provide them with the right type of light and heat sources. If you do not have a heat lamp, there are other alternatives you can use, and they include:
1. Incandescent Light Bulb
The warmth from this type of bulb will enable your turtle to increase its body temperature and is suitable for breeding turtles. The Ultraviolet B light is crucial for producing Vitamin D3 and will ensure that your turtle has an undisturbed circadian rhythm of regular night and day cycles. Their ability to provide both heath and Ultraviolet B light is considered the best basking lamp for turtles.
2. A Smart Automatic Day-Night Simulator
You can get a smart device from the market that will enable you to precisely illustrate the regular sunrise and sunset in the turtle tank. The device will also automatically turn the lights on and off, while some devices can control the tank’s temperature. Though very expensive, this device is a brilliant investment to simulate the natural habitat for your turtle.
The device produces Ultraviolet lights that can be harmful to naked human eyes and can cause blindness when looked at directly. It is recommended that you do not look at the reflectors or the light directly, and you should position the device so that people around it do not look at the light directly.
3. Ceramic Heat Plates
Ceramic heat emitters are excellent overnight heaters for turtles since they do not emit visible light. When used during the day, you can combine it with an Ultraviolet B fluorescent tube or other light-emitting bulbs. When brand new, ceramic heat emitters can produce a slight burning smell. You can burn it for a few hours before installation.
The heated area should be the size of a turtle’s shell as they only emit heat into a small region and are suitable for little turtles. The ceramic heat emitters are not ideal for larger turtles because they can cause spot burns on their shells when placed too close.
4. Radiant Heat Panels
Radiant heat panels function similar to ceramic heat emitters but can cover larger heat areas. Unlike the ceramic heat emitters that are screwed into place like light bulbs, they are shaped like panels. They can be attached to the ceiling of the turtle enclosure for overhead heating. The size of the radiant heat panel you choose will depend majorly on the area you want to heat.
Radiant heat panels can be ideal for heated houses and vivariums. It is also advisable to install them with a thermostat in an enclosed space. They are economical and have the same electricity cost as the ceramic heat emitters, though they can heat a larger area.
5. Thermos-Tubes
Thermo-tube heaters are cylindrical and usually rated at 60 watts, and are available in varying lengths between 1 foot to 6 feet (approximately 300mm to 2m). For providing heat to your turtle in a small enclosure, the 600mm and 900mm lengths are ideal, while for larger enclosures, the 1.5m or 2m lengths are the most recommended. Thermos-tubes are highly versatile and reliable when used for background heating of turtles.
The Bottom Line
Turtles are admirable pet companions, and to keep one, you need to consider the most suitable heat and light source. There are several types of heaters available for turtles in captivity, and some are better than others for heating. If you have a turtle and want to choose the best heat source for them, consider the cost, suitability, safety, and economy of operation. The best option will ensure your turtle is healthy, contented, and grow to a ripe old age.