General Care Discussion :: Can turtles see infrared?

Taking care of your turtle's overall health.

Post Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:38 am   Can turtles see infrared?

I am hoping to set up an IR led to make my webcam work in the dark, but I'm wondering if RES and/or map turtles can see IR light. I'm concerned that doing so might negatively affect their sleeping schedule. Anyone know? I know that humans can't see in the infrared wavelength, but if I remember correctly some snakes and spiders can.
4.25'' Florida Cooter Male - Buddy
3.5'' Ouachita Map (or False Map) - Spike
Erroneous
 
Posts: 72
Joined: Nov 26, 2006

Post Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:19 am   

I use red infrared bulbs for my snakes and they're in the same room with the turtles. It pretty much makes the whole room glow and it doesnt seem to affect any of my pets at all.
The things that come to those who wait may be the things that were left by those who got there first - Steven Tyler
User avatar
jenaero
Moderator
 
Posts: 3606
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Location: Thorold, Ontario, Canada

Post Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:20 am   

Reptiles can't see red light. Thats why the night time heat lights are always red.
11 res,2 Cooters,4 Sulcata,2 ybs,1 Ornate wood,2 Common musk,1 melanistic slider,1 striped mud,1 russian,2 japanese pond, 2 3 toe box, 2 Black Woods, 3 Vietnam pond, ,1 western painted,2 reeves,1new guinea snake neck,2 Miss maps, 1 African helmeted
Turtle addict
 
Posts: 145
Joined: Sep 13, 2006
Location: Orlando FL

Post Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:04 pm   

Turtle addict wrote:Reptiles can't see red light. Thats why the night time heat lights are always red.


From the googling I've done, it appears that turtles see mainly reds, oranges, and yellows. But I'm concerned with infrared (invisible to the human eye), and manufacturers don't necessarily make products that are good for a species.

So far I haven't found any documents saying turtles see infrared. The species of snakes that can see it (rattlesnakes for example) have special glands below their eyes to see IR. Since turtles don't have that, I'll assume they can't.
4.25'' Florida Cooter Male - Buddy
3.5'' Ouachita Map (or False Map) - Spike
Erroneous
 
Posts: 72
Joined: Nov 26, 2006

Post Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:56 pm   

The light is invisible and can't be seen. It won't interfere with the sleep cycle.
"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." -Antoine de Saint Exupery-
marisa
Retired Mod
 
Posts: 12993
Joined: Apr 21, 2005
Location: CT, USA


Return to General Care Discussion

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 54 guests