150lb. Sulcata new environment what temp to keep new house ?

[Kevn Horton]

Hello everyone I am new to your great site and new to Sulcata ownership, so I need advise..
I have just adopted a 150lb Sulcata and she is coming from a none snow So. Cal. environment, to a colder So. Cal area and I do not want my new Lady to get sick or have any problems. Let me tell you my plan for her new house.
I have bought a Rubbermaid 4' x 7' storage shed that is 3' tall and opens in front and top I plan to cut a hole in the two doors ( 1/2 and 1/2 each door ) and hang clear plastic strips over opening, like you would see in a commercial building to keep out the cold air but can still get through like a dog door. ( also have a slide door panel over the cut area so I can lock her in and others out) I plan to put 2" insulation foam on all the walls and celling along with fill all the walls and doors with spray in form. I will put a wood border on the walls from the ground up to about 6". so she won't mess up the insulation. I was going to use ether a ceramic heater or a large oil heater also I was going to have a UVB florescent light and a small red heat light ( for easy checking her at night) all mounted on celling. with a temp gage and timers. I was also thinking of a Pig blanket ( Heat Pad). I was going to put down a horse stall pad on floor for more insulation and still soft to move on and easy to clean.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK????
PS back to my Question ....WHAT temp should I keep the She-Shed at to keep her safe and sound.

 

[Tom]

By the time you do all that work on the shed, you might as well just build a good box of the correct dimensions. I've tried to use sheds. They don't work well. Too drafty, too tall inside and just not designed for our purposes. Here are two examples of boxes that work perfectly in our climate:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

Ceramic heat emitters and red bulbs are no good for larger tortoises. You'll end up slow cooking the carapace while the bottom and core stay too cool. Pig blankets and oil heaters work great on a separate thermostat. You can see that above in the two links.

Are you sure its female? Are you sure of the weight? It is very rare for a female to get over 80 pounds. I only know of one female that large out of the 1000's that I've seen over the years. What is the length of this tortoise? Got any pics? Pics of the anal scutes and tail would confirm or deny the sex.

Horse mat on the bottom is not a bad idea. That would work, but they are stinky. With an insulated floor, you won't need it.

I set my thermostats to 70 when summer days are 90+ degrees. In winter, I set my thermostat up to about 86, so that this tropical species has a warm place to go on cold days and nights.

Here is a sheet detailing what you should feed your new baby:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[Kevn Horton]

By the time you do all that work on the shed, you might as well just build a good box of the correct dimensions. I've tried to use sheds. They don't work well. Too drafty, too tall inside and just not designed for our purposes. Here are two examples of boxes that work perfectly in our climate:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

Ceramic heat emitters and red bulbs are no good for larger tortoises. You'll end up slow cooking the carapace while the bottom and core stay too cool. Pig blankets and oil heaters work great on a separate thermostat. You can see that above in the two links.

Are you sure its female? Are you sure of the weight? It is very rare for a female to get over 80 pounds. I only know of one female that large out of the 1000's that I've seen over the years. What is the length of this tortoise? Got any pics? Pics of the anal scutes and tail would confirm or deny the sex.

Horse mat on the bottom is not a bad idea. That would work, but they are stinky. With an insulated floor, you won't need it.

I set my thermostats to 70 when summer days are 90+ degrees. In winter, I set my thermostat up to about 86, so that this tropical species has a warm place to go on cold days and nights.

Here is a sheet detailing what you should feed your new baby:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

I have not picked her up yet as I wanted to make sure I have all ready before I do, I have been told she is a female the size od the shell is approx. 32" head to tail and 20" side to side.

 

[Kevn Horton]

By the time you do all that work on the shed, you might as well just build a good box of the correct dimensions. I've tried to use sheds. They don't work well. Too drafty, too tall inside and just not designed for our purposes. Here are two examples of boxes that work perfectly in our climate:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

Ceramic heat emitters and red bulbs are no good for larger tortoises. You'll end up slow cooking the carapace while the bottom and core stay too cool. Pig blankets and oil heaters work great on a separate thermostat. You can see that above in the two links.

Are you sure its female? Are you sure of the weight? It is very rare for a female to get over 80 pounds. I only know of one female that large out of the 1000's that I've seen over the years. What is the length of this tortoise? Got any pics? Pics of the anal scutes and tail would confirm or deny the sex.

Horse mat on the bottom is not a bad idea. That would work, but they are stinky. With an insulated floor, you won't need it.

I set my thermostats to 70 when summer days are 90+ degrees. In winter, I set my thermostat up to about 86, so that this tropical species has a warm place to go on cold days and nights.

Here is a sheet detailing what you should feed your new baby:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

On the one site you sent me to for the house box, it shows a heat pad ( pig Blanket ) do you know where I can buy one also it shows a radiant heat panel I have never seen one and don't know how well they work do you? and do you know where I can buy one.
I am going with the pre made box as I just don't have the time to build one and I am sure I can seal it up tight.

 

[Kevn Horton]

On the one site you sent me to for the house box, it shows a heat pad ( pig Blanket ) do you know where I can buy one also it shows a radiant heat panel I have never seen one and don't know how well they work do you? and do you know where I can buy one.
I am going with the pre made box as I just don't have the time to build one and I am sure I can seal it up tight.

I have not picked her up yet as I wanted to make sure I have all ready before I do, I have been told she is a female the size od the shell is approx. 32" head to tail and 20" side to side.

this is the one I went with

 

[Tom]

On the one site you sent me to for the house box, it shows a heat pad ( pig Blanket ) do you know where I can buy one also it shows a radiant heat panel I have never seen one and don't know how well they work do you? and do you know where I can buy one.
I am going with the pre made box as I just don't have the time to build one and I am sure I can seal it up tight.

You can get Kane Heat Mats from Tyler at http://www.tortoisesupply.com/kane
I get my RHPs from http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels

The RHPs work great. They spread the heat out over a large area so you don't slow-burn the top of the carapace closest to the heat source.

 

[Tom]

this is the one I went with View attachment 223091

Your thermometer will tell you how good a job you did on the first below freezing night.

I've used those in the past, and they didn't work well for me. Just have a back up plan in case it doesn't work for you too.

 

[Tom]

I have not picked her up yet as I wanted to make sure I have all ready before I do, I have been told she is a female the size od the shell is approx. 32" head to tail and 20" side to side.

Its physically possible that this tortoise is female, but those are typical 100 pound male dimensions. I'd love to see some pics, as this will be an exceptional female.

 

[Kevn Horton]

Its physically possible that this tortoise is female, but those are typical 100 pound male dimensions. I'd love to see some pics, as this will be an exceptional female.

like I said that is what I was told but we will find out ether way its cool

 

[Kevn Horton]

You can get Kane Heat Mats from Tyler at http://www.tortoisesupply.com/kane
I get my RHPs from http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels

The RHPs work great. They spread the heat out over a large area so you don't slow-burn the top of the carapace closest to the heat source.

thanks ... im thinking bigger is better so for the size shelter it looks to me the 160 w will work the best as I would think it is better to have more heat then you might need then not enough and the mats are not cheep are they. with both of these on my SCE bill should be quite a bit bigger it maybe cheaper to let the shelled wonder sleep in the house.

 

[Big Charlie]

thanks ... im thinking bigger is better so for the size shelter it looks to me the 160 w will work the best as I would think it is better to have more heat then you might need then not enough and the mats are not cheep are they. with both of these on my SCE bill should be quite a bit bigger it maybe cheaper to let the shelled wonder sleep in the house.

We have some members in colder climates that have larger enclosures such as a heated barn with a smaller box inside like Tom's nightbox. That way they have the heat they need especially on very cold nights but they have more room to move around during the day when it is still too cold for them to graze outdoors. Some sulcatas will even come out in the snow, as long as they have a warm place they can go to warm up.

Whatever you do, keep in mind making it easy to clean as sulcatas make a big mess almost on a daily basis.

The initial cost for the kane mat and RHP is quite a bit but you generally only have to spend that once. I don't think they have that much of an impact on my electric bill.

I can't imagine having a creature that big in the house. Not only are they messy, but your house won't be warm enough and it is dangerous for them to let them loose on your floors. Large sulcatas are destructive. You should realize what you are getting into before it is too late.

 

[Big Charlie]

There is some great information in the sulcata section of the forum, especially in the stickies at the top. https://tortoiseforum.org/forums/sulcata-tortoises.88/
Sulcatas are solitary animals and don't like competition for resources. They don't need or want company. A large sulcata needs plenty of room to roam.

 

[Tom]

thanks ... im thinking bigger is better so for the size shelter it looks to me the 160 w will work the best as I would think it is better to have more heat then you might need then not enough and the mats are not cheep are they. with both of these on my SCE bill should be quite a bit bigger it maybe cheaper to let the shelled wonder sleep in the house.

I'm with SCE too. My boxes cost around .18 cents a night to operate during the coldest parts of winter, and that's at the top billing tier. I ran some of those "EZ Watt" meters inline to discover this. With a taller box, larger wattage heating elements, and the type of enclosure you are going to use, I would expect your energy usage to be a little but higher.

Don't forget to order a thermostat too. I like these:
http://www.lllreptile.com/products/13883-zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller
Cheap, easy and reliable.

Initial set up can be overwhelming, but once you get it right, keeping one of these guys is pretty easy and rewarding.

 

[Kevn Horton]

We have some members in colder climates that have larger enclosures such as a heated barn with a smaller box inside like Tom's nightbox. That way they have the heat they need especially on very cold nights but they have more room to move around during the day when it is still too cold for them to graze outdoors. Some sulcatas will even come out in the snow, as long as they have a warm place they can go to warm up.

Whatever you do, keep in mind making it easy to clean as sulcatas make a big mess almost on a daily basis.

The initial cost for the kane mat and RHP is quite a bit but you generally only have to spend that once. I don't think they have that much of an impact on my electric bill.

I can't imagine having a creature that big in the house. Not only are they messy, but your house won't be warm enough and it is dangerous for them to let them loose on your floors. Large sulcatas are destructive. You should realize what you are getting into before it is too late.

thanks for all the info!

 

[Kevn Horton]

I'm with SCE too. My boxes cost around .18 cents a night to operate during the coldest parts of winter, and that's at the top billing tier. I ran some of those "EZ Watt" meters inline to discover this. With a taller box, larger wattage heating elements, and the type of enclosure you are going to use, I would expect your energy usage to be a little but higher.

Don't forget to order a thermostat too. I like these:
http://www.lllreptile.com/products/13883-zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller
Cheap, easy and reliable.

Initial set up can be overwhelming, but once you get it right, keeping one of these guys is pretty easy and rewarding.

thanks for the help

 

[Kevn Horton]

There is some great information in the sulcata section of the forum, especially in the stickies at the top. https://tortoiseforum.org/forums/sulcata-tortoises.88/
Sulcatas are solitary animals and don't like competition for resources. They don't need or want company. A large sulcata needs plenty of room to roam.

thanks for the help

 

[Kevn Horton]

I'm with SCE too. My boxes cost around .18 cents a night to operate during the coldest parts of winter, and that's at the top billing tier. I ran some of those "EZ Watt" meters inline to discover this. With a taller box, larger wattage heating elements, and the type of enclosure you are going to use, I would expect your energy usage to be a little but higher.

Don't forget to order a thermostat too. I like these:
http://www.lllreptile.com/products/13883-zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller
Cheap, easy and reliable.

Initial set up can be overwhelming, but once you get it right, keeping one of these guys is pretty easy and rewarding.

Tom re: the heat controller ... will I need one for each ( Pad & Heater )

 

[Yvonne G]

I started out with "dog house" type shelters for the tortoises. It got old very quickly - propping open the lid to lean in and clean out the poop. I'm old, and leaning in isn't easy on my back. So over time I have converted all my dog house type shelters to actual sheds that I can walk into and rake up all the poop. Much easier on me and my back. My sheds are very well insulated, with rigid foam both on the inside and on the outside of the 2x4 framework. They're tall enough for me to stand up in. For the coldest nights I have a 250 watt brooder lamp hanging from the ceiling. The light hangs about 4' off the ground, so there's no worry about burning the tortoise's shell. The lamp, combined with the pig blanket on the floor keep the ambient temperature in the shed right where I want it to be. I have several different species of tortoise and having a red light on at night has never been a problem with my tortoises. Once they go in for the night, all they do is sleep. They're not interested in eating anything that the red light might make look like food.

 

[DeanS]

Its physically possible that this tortoise is female, but those are typical 100 pound male dimensions. I'd love to see some pics, as this will be an exceptional female.

Then again...there's always the possibilty that this girl (if she is a girl) is one of Brad's...apparently he and John pushed a lot of adult overstock! Remember, MONSTRO!'s mom was 189 pounds...8 years ago...willing to bet she's broken 200...

 

[DeanS]

...and @Tom is right @Kevn Horton...go with the nightbox. Rubbermaid sheds only last so long! Post some photos of her ASAP!