Can You Use A Fish Tank Heater For A Turtle?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Tank Size Watts Best Heater 10-20 gal. 50 Orlushy & Eheim 15-20 gal. 75 Eheim 20-30 gal. 100 Orlushy & Eheim 30-60 gal. 150 Orlushy & Eheim

Do turtles need tank heater?

Turtles are cold blooded so you’ll need to provide some sort of heat source to keep them warm. Without something to keep them warm they’ll become sluggish and if it gets too cold can even die.

Aquatic turtles need both a water heater (above) and some form of basking heat

.

What is a good heater for a turtle tank?

Tank Size Watts Best Heater 10-20 gal. 50 Orlushy & Eheim 15-20 gal. 75 Eheim 20-30 gal. 100 Orlushy & Eheim 30-60 gal. 150 Orlushy & Eheim

What can I use instead of a heat lamp for turtles?

Optional Lighting – You may also want to add other lighting options to your turtle’s tank. Two popular options are

viewing lights and nightlights

. Viewing lights help you see your turtle during the day if your turtle spends a lot of time in the water.

How can I keep my turtle warm without a heater?

If you don’t have a heat lamp, there are various other options you can use, such as

direct sunlight, incandescent light bulbs, or water heaters

. You can even pour warm water into your tank to help maintain the overall temperature of your turtle’s environment.

Can a water heater burn my turtle?

In general,

the heater won’t burn the turtle as long as the hot part is under water

. The heat dissapates very rapidly in the cool water. A turtle can, however, break a glass thermometer by biting it.

How cold is too cold for a turtle?

At body temperatures of about

40 to 50°F

, most reptiles become sluggish, stop eating, and seek hiding places to get safely through the winter.

What happens if a turtle gets too cold?

Cold turtles have a much slower metabolism, putting them in a very restful state. Turtles that get too cold

run the risk of getting “cold stunned”

. These turtles get too cold and actually become immobile! In 2010, we received 178 cold stunned turtles in three days due to a quick drop in water temperature!

Do aquatic turtles need a heating lamp?


Yes, turtles need a heat lamp

, which in fact, are crucial to their wellbeing. Turtle are cold-blooded animals—their body temperature changes with change in environment.

Do pet turtles need heat lamps?


Turtles need a heat lamp in order to survive

. Since turtles are reptiles they can’t regulate their body temperature, so they have to rely on external sources like a heat lamp.

Are Heating Pads good for turtles?


Most of the time, no

. We’d only recommend a heat mat for use when you have a sickly tortoise that will benefit from a raised body temperature at night. They don’t promote basking in the day and that is an essential part of keeping tortoises healthy.

Do turtles feel cold?


Yes, turtles get cold

. As ectotherms, they cannot generate their own heat. Their body temperature changes with the change in environmental temperature. Thus, if the surroundings are cold, they will feel cold.

What temp should turtle water be?

These are the best temperature ranges for turtles: Water temperature should be kept

between 72 and 77 F (22 to 25 C) day and night

. The wet side of your turtle’s habitat should be kept at 75 to 85 F (24 to 29 C) The dry side with a basking spot should be 85 to 90 F (29 to 32 C)

Do red eared sliders need water heaters?


When provided with a basking site, Red Eared Sliders do not require any water heating, except in exceptional cases

, such as water temperatures dropping into the low 60s or cooler.

Can turtles get lonely?

Do turtles get lonely? No, turtles are not social animals and as a result,

they don’t get lonely

. Turtles actually prefer to be alone, and not in the company of other turtles or animals.

Are turtles OK in cold water?


Turtles Can Survive in Cold Water

. If you’re concerned about turtles and cold water, then you’ll be happy to know that turtles can survive in cold water. In fact, some species of turtles are able to survive in freezing water.

Can turtles freeze and come back to life?


When the ambient temperature drops below freezing, box turtles do have the incredible ability to shut down some of their bodily functions while still staying alive

! When this happens, blood is shunted to the core of the turtle’s body.

Should my turtle be in water all the time?


Most aquatic turtles will leave the water to bask on dry land but spend most of their time in the water

. They require both water and dry land for basking in their habitats, as well as the appropriate temperature ranges and light to stay healthy.

Do turtles like to be warm or cold?

For this reason,

they are particularly sensitive to ambient temperature and seek to occupy warmer waters

, typically in the tropical and temperate zones and ideally over 20oC. At temperatures of less than 10oC, see turtles may have trouble keeping warm, and may become cold-stunned, and sometimes, die of hypothermia.

Can turtles freeze in water?


Turtles choose to hibernate in water that is deep enough so it won’t freeze completely

. Turtles are able to survive in harsh conditions, but they have their limits, and being frozen for long periods of time is one of them.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.