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albino turtles and sunlight

22 16:17:17

Question
I have an albino painted turtle, and I was told by the store keeper that it is okay to put the turtle where it can have sunlight instead of a regular UV lamp during the summertime. My worry is that, because the turtle is albino, the sun may be a danger. Do you have any suggestions in regards to the light, given that my turtle is an albino?

Answer
Hello Travis, pet store employees don't always know the information needed. Natural sun light is best but if you are talking about through a window then its more dangerous then helpful. The window filters the needed uv rays and it can also magnify the heat causing the tank to turn into an oven. You should never store a reptile near a window.

The sun shouldn't cause the turtle any problems, and natural unfiltered sunlight is nice if you can take him outside when its warm enough.

You do NEED a UV light every day of the year for 10-12 hours a day. If you were to use the window sun then this will filter the uv giving him nowhere near the needed amount and taking him outside he would have to be outside all day to get the needed uv rays. Just get the lamp and replace it every 6 months (thats when the uv stops being produced although you can see the light coming from it the UV rays have most likely gone dead)

I hope that helps out,
Good luck
-Yexalen