Heat lamps are essential for the health and well-being of your turtle. Since turtles can’t regulate their body temperature on their own, they need a heat lamp to keep them warm. It is important to get a good heat lamp that keeps your turtle warm while not burning them. Today’s article will cover the best heat lamps for turtles.
Best Heat Lamp for Turtles
The best heat lamp for turtles is the Buddypuppy Reptile Heat Lamp. It is relatively cheap and it provides both UVA and UVB light.
Buddypuppy Reptile Heat Lamp
The Buddypuppy is a great turtle heat lamp for many reasons. It emits both UVA and UVB light, so you don’t need to separate lights. Turtles need UVA and UVB light for the following reasons:
- Promotes sleeping and digestion
- Activates turtle’s appetite
- Helps them absorb essential calcium
- Dries up their skin and shell which helps prevent illness
- Natural bone growth
- Regulate metabolism
This heat lamps comes with both a 25 and 50 watt bulb, both of which are perfect most pet turtles. It also has a lamp holder socket which helps regulate the heat so that it doesn’t get too hot.
Perhaps my favorite part about this lamp is the versatility with placement. It has a clip on the end that you can place on the edge of your tank. It has a 12 inch goose neck that allows you to adjust the angle of the light very easily. If you are using the 50 watt bulb, it should be around 5-8 inches away from the basking platform.
This lamp also features a very useful switch that allows you to adjust when the light is turned on and off. It also has a temperature adjustment on the switch.
Best of all, the Buddypuppy is very affordable. You can purchase it on amazon for around $20. If you have amazon prime, it is eligible for free 1-day shipping.
Below are some common questions about heat lamps for turtles.
How long can my turtle go without a heat lamp?
A turtle can go around 1 or 2 weeks without a heat lamp before their health will be affected. If don’t have a heat lamp and need a temporary fix, you can check out my article on How to Keep a Turtle Warm Without a Heat Lamp?
What wattage should a heat lamp be for a turtle?
A turtle heat lamp should be at least 50 watts. I would not but a bulb that is over 100 watts.
Does a turtle need both UVA and UVB light
If a turtle is kept indoors, it absolutely needs both UVA and UVB light. Luckily, the Buddypuddy has both UVA and UVB light.
How warm should a turtle heat lamp be?
A turtle heat lamp should make the basking spot around 90 to 95 degrees fahrenheight. However, the perfect temperature will depend on the species of turtle.