General Care Discussion :: Hatchling Activity - UVA/UVB making a difference?

[squirtle415]

Hi,

I just introduced two new hatch-lings to my tank. (1 existing 3-4month old baby in the tank as well) I put them on my basking dock, and they wandered around for a bit but had not gone in the water. I have UVA heat lamp on...and I noticed when I do have it on, they just went to sleep..

They do look comfortable though...especially since I'm sure this is the first time they have any heat source (got em through shaddy chinatown vendors)

So, I switched my heat bulb with my UVB reptiglow and they start waking up,, jump into the water, start swimming for the first time...etc. They are much more active now that the UVB light is on instead of just basking in the heat.

So my question is...is this normal? I am looking to invest in another lamp so I can have both UVA/UVB on at the same time but for the time being, I switch up the bullbs from time to time.

So it normal they like to sleep while basking in the heat? Basking area is around 90-95F...water temp is 75-79


Right now, all 3 turtles are swimming around with a lot of energy, unlike before when I had the UVA heat lamp on, they would just go to sleep.I should also note the weather is cold, rainy, and gloomy today.

Thanks!

[rsour24]

u dont need to buy a clamplamp from a petstore. those r just more epenive. u can buy cheaper ones at walmart and other shops

[squirtle415]

I've noticed when I put the UVA heat bulb back...it entices the babies to slowly fall asleep. It's like they get so comfortable then eventually nod off to sleep...

Is this normal? especially since it's 6pm in the day however i don't know if these babies have had a normal sleeping cycle since they were kept in dark places in storage rooms, etc.

[jozzep]

The heat bulb is necessary for 2 reasons :
First it attracts the turtles to the basking area because they like the heat, but once there, they absorb the beneficial rays of the UVB.
Second it keeps the basking area at a constant temp so that the turtles don't get drastic changes of ambient temps, get a respiratory infection, and get sick.

[squirtle415]

The heat bulb is necessary for 2 reasons :
First it attracts the turtles to the basking area because they like the heat, but once there, they absorb the beneficial rays of the UVB.
Second it keeps the basking area at a constant temp so that the turtles don't get drastic changes of ambient temps, get a respiratory infection, and get sick.

makes sense. thanks.

So what should I do about my new babies? It seems like they just sleep a lot on the basking platform because they like the heat so much.

My other babies didn't even go basking until a couple weeks but this is completely opposite. The new babies seem to be adjusted to their surroundings fairly quickly and aren't even afraid of me...

[jozzep]

makes sense. thanks.

So what should I do about my new babies? It seems like they just sleep a lot on the basking platform because they like the heat so much.

My other babies didn't even go basking until a couple weeks but this is completely opposite. The new babies seem to be adjusted to their surroundings fairly quickly and aren't even afraid of me...

All turtles are different.......Just let them do what they want, making sure you're doing your best to keep them healthy and comfortable.