UVB light or not?

[hong]

i wonder why lizard need UVB light to produce vitamin D3.one of my sister have raise one red ear slider for years without any expose to natural sunlight or UVB light.it doesnt seems to develope sny signs of MBD.can somebody expain why?she only feed it with turtle pellet.

 

[Srt14292]

I would say depending on the turtle pellet, she has been extremely lucky, or it has some d3 in there.
Think about with humans, we need to be exposed to sunlight to produce vitamin D.
Same principle with some reptiles (even those that are nocturnal still need suppliment)

Its basically you can get it indirectly (powder form) or let there be uv light.

 

[latshki]

can you post a picture of the turtle I would like to see the shell and how big it is
also how old is it

 

[GrimmyX15]

I would like to see that. If turtle are not exposed to UVB , is there chance that this turtle could have deformed shell ? Just asking.

 

[gitrdone0420]

Turtles and other lizards are exposed to natural light in the wild. They need it to help break down certain vitamins in their body, so their body can use it. otherwise, those vitamins will just get excreted through the urinary system.
Well, like I said before, the UV rays are used to specifically break down Vitamin D3 so the body can use it. They need that vitamin to have strong bones, etc. Hope this helps and encourages you to get a UVB bulb. They really arent that expensive for how long they last. You can even get them pretty cheaply at reptile supply stores online. I suggest potentially a mercury vapor bulb? But I dont keep turtles... so idk what specific bulb is best for them.

 

[slayer]

With adequate d3 in the diet AND exposure to REAL basking temps, many reptiles metabolize calcium just fine Im not a fan of U.V bulbs
Any way, what is your sisters husbandry like? The answere is there.