I want a tortoise and i wondering if all i need is a heat lamp and no heat mat

Question

I want a tortoise and i wondering if all i need is a heat lamp and no heat mat

Answer 1

I strongly suggest you look up a care sheet online before getting tortoise. Be specific on which tortoise you get, since all tortoises need different heat, humidity, and feeding needs. DO NOT LISTEN TO PET STORE EMPLOYEES ON THE NEEDS OF YOUR TORTOISES!!!!! They are not experts and tortoises have very, very specifed needs per type.

Answer 2

hi there! i have a horsfield tortoise!! got him for xmas and i didn't have a clue how to look after him i rang the pet shop and they told only keep  the lights on for show but u have to keep the lights on 12hours and off 12hours and he  smells real bad!! i would never buy one again my husband bought it for me had to put him in the shed for the smell is that bad they can live up to 60-70 years!! good luck with ur new tortoise i think u will need it!!!

Answer 3

ohh dont forget turtles hybranate and dont think they are dead! that happened to my friend oce

Answer 4

If a heat lamp is enough to keep the enclosure warm enough for it, you don't need a heat mat, but you DO need UVB lighting... please do a LOT of research besides asking here on Yahoo Answers before making a long term commitment (as for how long-term, you need to do research on life-span for the species you plan on purchasing).

Answer 5

I would suggest getting a heat mat as well. This is so that the tortoise doesn't freeze overnight. I have a heat mat for mine, which is controlled by a thermostat, which turns the heat mat on if the basking area falls below 30 degrees.

Answer 6

you dont need anything if you buy one young cause they get used to the heat as my tortoise and my friends doesnt have any heat and my friends is nearly 15 years old

so no i shouldnt think you need one depending on ages but if its over 2 years of age i think you would need a heat lamp

Answer 7

My tortiose has a heat mat and we only sometimes put on the heat lamp. Id ask the place where you have got/are getting the tortiose from. I find that my tortiose doesnt like too much heat as he always is off the heat mat at the other side of the tank. And to the other comment above about hibernating.. my tortiose doesnt hibernate so dont listen to her!! They are cute little things be prepared to clean the tank regularly! Mine smells out a room a lot!!  

Answer 8

Well just a heat lamp is ok as long as you have a flat rock for it to lay on. If you do get a heat mat make sure it's one that goes on the outside of the tank. Heating rocks can cause burns on reptiles.

Answer 9

A heat mat is not really needed for a tortoise, but make sure its basking area is draught free. It needs UV light and warmth to keep healthy.

As for the hibernation mentioned in an earlier answer this depends very much on the species. For example my Sulcata is an African species which comes from a region which never gets cold enough for hibernation to be necessary. If you keep your tortoise warm all Winter hibernation is not needed in any species, giving your animal a far better chance of surviving the Winter as this is when most tortoises will die.

Answer 10

We only use a heat lamp for our tortoise.  We house him in a 4 foot kiddy pool and use Bed-A-Beast bricks mixed with sand.  In the winter, our house is a bit drafty, so we hook up one or two other heat lamps.  Make sure you do your research and buy the correct lamps.  They're not too cheap, but it will be so worth it when you have a happy, healthy tortoise!

Answer 11

no,you should never use heat mats with tortoises.You need a heat lamp/ceramic heat emmiter coupled to a thermostat to regulate the temperature and then a full spectrum uv light.You could of course buy a lamp such as a 100watt powersun which incorparates a heat lamp and full spectrum uv lamp all in one bulb.They are really good but cost about £40-£50.but its only the same as buying all the heating and lighting equipment seperatley and a bonus is its cheaper on the electric bill and the uv lasts longer than the 6 months of a standard strip bulb.

Answer 12

I have a suculta and all I use is a heat lamp, but i have a big cgae so I have a normal reptile lamp for light and one for heat

Answer 13

you don't use a heat mat with tortoises they get too hot and can burn the tortoise, you will need a UVB lamp and a lamp for warmth, the UV lamp needs to be on for 12 hrs a day and you need a constant background heat source for your tortoise, i use lamps that are fitted to a thermostat so the temp never gets too hot,  please if you are getting a tortoise do not keep it in a tank as these do not have enough air flow for a tortoise and can become too moist and cause the tortoise to get sick, a tortoise table is much better for the tortoise, here is a site you can look at that will show you the set ups for tortoises and how to care for them   http://www.tortoisetrust.org/  it has some really good articles on tortoise keeping so you can see which tortoise is better for you and the space you have available, best of luck in choosing a tortoise but do your research first before you get your tortoise best of luck honey  

Answer 14

I don't believe that you need a heat mat. I had a tortoise once and I didn't even have a heat lamp for it. He didn't really need it do to the fact he lived outside in his cage; plus I would let him play around in my backyard constantly. I never had a problem with his health.  

Answer 15

You'll need a heat lamp and a UV light (for vitamins). I recently brought a Hermann Tortoise and i have done extensive research and all i hear is one conflicting arguement after another! But please dont let this put you off as they are lovely animals and i love taking care of mine. But i strongly recommend that you research the specific Tortoise you want before purchasing. People will tell you different things all the time but if you do your own research and consider what makes sense im sure you'll make the right decisions for your tortoise.

Best of luck