Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been keeping sulcata hatchlings for some time now. I have found much conflicting infomation on temperature, humidity, and lighting requirements.

Currently I use a 20W UVB bulb and a 50W reflective basking lamp @ 18" away. ground temperature at basking locations max is at 83 deg and evening temps drop to about 75-77 deg. I maintain my Humidity at 50% and slightly sower. These are basically the ideal setting I have researchd and have been maintaining.

Most recently I have heard from many successful breeders and keepers that they are using 60w-75w basking bulbs about 12" away providing temperatures well over 100 deg. even up to 120! I'm not trying to make turtle soup. I have always understood that there is no justification for temps over 80 deg.

What do you guys think, and what have you been successful with?
thanks

When a temperature of 100 is recommended for any tortoise it is usually in conjunction with a lower temperature such as 75 or 80. This way the tortoise has a range to adjust its metabolism based on the available conditions. It appears that some folks ‘know’ what the proper temperature is. The problem is that there is no ‘one proper’ temperature because unless you have your pet in a controlled environmental chamber the ambient temperature is going to change and so in order for you pet to maintain a relatively stable internal temperature it is going to need to adjust it’s position to the heat source. I think this is called thermo-regulating. If you don’t have a temperature range the poor critter can't regulate. (I think that’s the justification for such a range)
Also keep in mind that your pet is going to need more energy (heat) to digest and less when not digesting...
Ed