People all over
the world often turn to reptiles as a source of easy pet ownership. When, after all, was the last time you
had to walk a snake, lizard, or tortoise? Arguably, the best beginner pet is
the Russian tortoise, as they are
particularly hardy and easy to care for, and have wonderful personalities. Russians,
which are naturally found in Afghanistan,
Northern Pakistan, North Eastern Iran, North Western China, and Kazakhstan, are
adapted to an arid desert habitat, and so they require specific types of food,
humidity levels, and heat levels. (The
Russian Tortoise)
Proper heat bulbs
are an important part of tortoise care because tortoises are specially adapted
to specific climates, and may fall ill if kept at inappropriate temperatures. I
have tried several brands, shapes, and heat out-puts, and while several have
been good, nothing has been as shockingly poor as the ZooMed Daylight Blue
Reptile Bulb. Now, before I launch into a detailed critique, it’s important to
explain a few things.
First, all reptiles
need UVA and UVB. Tortoises are especially reliant on both, as UVA affects
their eating habits and sight, and UVB affects their body’s ability to process
vitamin D3, which is critical to their ability to absorb and use calcium.
Without enough calcium, they experience extreme health problems, which can
include violently deformed shells.
Second, reptile
bulbs that produce UVA and UVB together are expensive and hard to find, so most
people, myself included, use a UVB bulb, which usually doesn’t produce much
heat, and a dual UVA+heat bulb.
Finally, there are
two main categories of tortoises: arid grasslands or desert, and tropical. They
require drastically different heat levels, humidity levels, and foods, so it’s
important to understand what type of pet you are interested in before
purchasing any equipment. This review will focus on heat bulbs designed for arid
grasslands and desert species, such as the Russian tortoise.
The ZooMed
Daylight Blue Reptile Bulb is a blue glass UVA+heat bulb. The blue glass emits
light that more closely matches the natural light spectrum, but that is as far
as this bulb goes in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
I purchased my
first of these bulbs in August 2013, and it burned out approximately 6 months
later. It did not emit large amounts of heat as the box promised, but this was
not a major problem because I was using it in conjunction with another warm
bulb, and it was only about a foot above my tortoise’s enclosure. It provided the
necessary UVA, and kept his home at an average of 80 degrees.
I replaced the
burned out bulb with a new one of the same brand, and this second bulb stopped
working 3 months after I bought it, on the same day the receipt, and warranty,
expired.
Instead of
exchanging it for another, I tried a new brand. This new bulb, although it
lacks the natural daylight look provided by blue glass, has highlighted the
first bulb’s issues. It keeps the enclosure nearly ten degrees warmer, which is
far more appropriate for a desert species, and since installing the new bulb,
my tortoise is more active, eats more, and seems generally healthier. This new
bulb is also expected to last at least 6 months, twice as long as the first.
The ZooMed
Daylight Blue Reptile Bulb lacks basic features needed for proper care of
reptiles. At nearly $10 per bulb, it is priced to look like a bargain, but,
when the frequency with which it needs replacement is accounted for, it far
surpasses the price of even the most high-tech bulbs. It’s heat out-put is
problematic for most desert species, and it’s UVA output is suspect at best.
This bulb is a waste of resources, and could potentially lead to long-term
health problems in reptiles. I recommend
paying more for another brand – your tortoise will be grateful.
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