What's your opinion on how long the lamp should be on in the summer? I always thought it was supposed to be 14 hours but someone said just 12 is ok the other day.

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1.0.0 Bengal Cat (Leon) - nut case
0.1.0 Siamese Cat (Sasha)
0.0.2 Marginated Tortoises (Chunk & Bean)

Mine are on for 14 hours and i decrease it in the autumn and winter (for not hibernating)

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I have mine on from 8am until 8pm if they are inside.

Hi Ben,

As others have said, your tortoises lying their heads on the bottom in the bath is perfectly normal, they are just drinking. If you look closely when they are doing this, you will need their neck muscles contracting when they swallow.........it does panic you the first time you see them doing it . Don't worry, they'll lift their heads up when they are ready.

As for the lights, I leave mine on 12 hours a day when they are indoors (like Sarah, decreasing as wind down and hibernation approach), but they never need them that long.......mine are always in bed by 4-30pm . It's not a rigid practice, once they turn in for bed (you'll soon get to know their rountine, they are creatures of habit), just turn them off and save on your electricity bill <g>

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's