Q. Hi
Spoke on the phone with you today and wanted to buy the vx48 black
Vivarium but also need lighting and under heating mats for our new spur
thighed tortoise approx 2 inches in size.
Also wanted the corner hatching dish small bark and a straight back bark pool.
What do you advise.

A. Hello,
First off I would not go with a Vivarium for your Spur thigh Tortoise as they have long standing health problems. As there is an inadequate circulation of air and an insufficient temperature gradient. A Combination of the two causes lung congestion and other problems with respiration in the long term.
Heat mats are also no good as Tortoise need heat from above, heat mats cook them.
So I would highly recommend the following.
Tortoise table 48 inch in Beech or Oak
PT-2056 Glow Light 10" Reflector
PT-2192 Exo Terra Solar Glo Sun Lamp 125W
Corner hatchling dish small bark at
Straight back bark pool
Digital thermometer PT-2472
**NOTE** To regulate the temperature of the basking spot is by raising or lowering the Sun lamp,
Temp 85-90F hot end 70-75 at the cool end. These lamps do not work on thermostats. They should only be switched on for 10-12 hrs a day and turned off after that, this gives the Tortoise the proper day night thermoregulation.

Back to the FAQ.