Outdoor time in the winter

[ckiley]

Hi All!
It's starting to get cold in my area (FL Panhandle) highs in the low 60s during the day sometimes only in the 50s. Any ideas for heating an outdoor area for Charlie (sulcata)? I had a temporary outdoor area for her that she'd spend most of the day when it was 75+ out and then back inside at night. I want her to be able to soak up the sun and graze outside but now it's too cold. Any suggestions would be great! Also, is her growth looking good? She has been eating like crazy and is now over a pound.

 

[wellington]

She is too small to be spending so much time outside and she is showing it by starting to pyramid. Get her in a closed chamber enclosure and get the humidity up to 80%. Even in Florida they need added high humidity
Do not take her out in your cold weather, she will get sick and or die.
As an adult she could go out as long as she has a warm, 80 degree night box or shed to go into too warm up.

 

[ckiley]

She is too small to be spending so much time outside and she is showing it by starting to pyramid. Get her in a closed chamber enclosure and get the humidity up to 80%. Even in Florida they need added high humidity
Do not take her out in your cold weather, she will get sick and or die.
As an adult she could go out as long as she has a warm, 80 degree night box or shed to go into too warm up.

Thank you, I was under the impression she could spend a good amount of time outside as long as the temp was not too cold (she was out for an average of 3-4 hours per day). Humidity in her box ranges from 62 (on the dry side) to 80 (in the humid hide/box side). We are working on building her a new/bigger indoor enclosure and will make it fully closed as her current set up is 90% closed.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you, I was under the impression she could spend a good amount of time outside as long as the temp was not too cold (she was out for an average of 3-4 hours per day). Humidity in her box ranges from 62 (on the dry side) to 80 (in the humid hide/box side). We are working on building her a new/bigger indoor enclosure and will make it fully closed as her current set up is 90% closed.

62 on a whole side of the enclosure is quite low for this age, it’ll naturally be lower under the bulbs of course, but most of it should be in the 80’s. I can see you have one of those open top tortoise houses, they aren’t appropriate to house babies or adults, now you have it there are a few ways to modify it to maintain the humidity, but I will warn this isn’t going to last until she’s big enough for outdoors 24/7 so its good you’re planning an upgrade!

In the meantime I’d use this to double check you have the right lighting(some incorrect lighting can actually contribute towards the pyramiding) this thread covers equipment, levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better!

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes some more closed chamber options, bear in mind sizing for a growing sulcata

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, probably the most important, this one is also really good to familiarise yourself with, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they help! Always happy to try answering any further questions once you’ve read them! Welcome to the forum

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I have yet to have added this to my visual inspiration thread, but this may help give you an idea for adjusting this current set up!

 

[ckiley]

I have yet to have added this to my visual inspiration thread, but this may help give you an idea for adjusting this current set up!
View attachment 383651

Thank you so much for all the information! I've read Tom's guide as well and confirmed I have the correct lights and substrate. I moved my temp and humidity guage as I had it almost directly under a light and now the larger side is reading 70% humidity! Love all the visuals you provided, will definitely show to my more handy/DIY equipped hubby and we will build a new and larger closed chamber enclosure. Right now I do have plexiglass on top of the current enclosure and that's definitely helped with the humidity, I also spray the substrate and make sure to run a humidifier in my home when we have to run the heat. Unfortunately, I did buy her from a breeder who kept her extremely dry on sand substrate and gave me some really bad info. I'm working hard to get everything right now and this Forum has been the best .

 

[zolasmum]

Thank you so much for all the information! I've read Tom's guide as well and confirmed I have the correct lights and substrate. I moved my temp and humidity guage as I had it almost directly under a light and now the larger side is reading 70% humidity! Love all the visuals you provided, will definitely show to my more handy/DIY equipped hubby and we will build a new and larger closed chamber enclosure. Right now I do have plexiglass on top of the current enclosure and that's definitely helped with the humidity, I also spray the substrate and make sure to run a humidifier in my home when we have to run the heat. Unfortunately, I did buy her from a breeder who kept her extremely dry on sand substrate and gave me some really bad info. I'm working hard to get everything right now and this Forum has been the best .

Charlie is going to be a real beauty !
Angie

 

[Tom]

Hi All!
It's starting to get cold in my area (FL Panhandle) highs in the low 60s during the day sometimes only in the 50s. Any ideas for heating an outdoor area for Charlie (sulcata)? I had a temporary outdoor area for her that she'd spend most of the day when it was 75+ out and then back inside at night. I want her to be able to soak up the sun and graze outside but now it's too cold. Any suggestions would be great! Also, is her growth looking good? She has been eating like crazy and is now over a pound.

At this size, I keep them in their large indoor closed chamber on colder days, and put them out for sun on warmer days. All day is fine in nice weather for a sulcata this size.

By springtime when it warms back up again, this one will probably be large enough to live outside full time with a heated night box. Cooler days are not as much of a problem for larger ones that have heated shelters to retreat to.

 

[ckiley]

At this size, I keep them in their large indoor closed chamber on colder days, and put them out for sun on warmer days. All day is fine in nice weather for a sulcata this size.

By springtime when it warms back up again, this one will probably be large enough to live outside full time with a heated night box. Cooler days are not as much of a problem for larger ones that have heated shelters to retreat to.

What is the coldest they can tolerate at this size in the sun? Also, at what size can she be out full time? I need to decide if I'm going to build a much larger indoor enclosure or put my efforts into the outdoor enclosure/heated shelter.

 

[Tom]

What is the coldest they can tolerate at this size in the sun? Also, at what size can she be out full time? I need to decide if I'm going to build a much larger indoor enclosure or put my efforts into the outdoor enclosure/heated shelter.

Many variables to answer that question. Ground temp, any clouds, is the ground wet or dry, is the tortoise basking or hiding in a corner or under a bush? Mine come out and bask on cold mornings in the 50s, but the highs are quickly climbing into the 70s, the ground is dry, and they park in front of a south facing wall that reflects the heat on to them. If I sit there next to them, I feel hot in short order. Carapace temps quickly reach the 80s and 90s in those spots. If it's cloudy or overcast, they choose to stay in their boxes where it's warmer.

For a smaller tortoise like yours, I'd probably wait at least until the mid 60s, but I'd keep an eye on the behavior. If the tortoise gets cold and goes and parks somewhere, there is no point in outside time. If they are basking, or exploring, or grazing, then its a good day for outside time.

I move them outside full time at anywhere from 8-10 inches, and I do that in late spring when it warms up. Then they have all summer and into fall to learn the routine of using their boxes at night and on cold or rainy days. Prior to that size, I like to have a suitable indoor enclosure with proper heating and lighting for nights and cooler days when outside time isn't a good idea.

 

[ckiley]

Many variables to answer that question. Ground temp, any clouds, is the ground wet or dry, is the tortoise basking or hiding in a corner or under a bush? Mine come out and bask on cold mornings in the 50s, but the highs are quickly climbing into the 70s, the ground is dry, and they park in front of a south facing wall that reflects the heat on to them. If I sit there next to them, I feel hot in short order. Carapace temps quickly reach the 80s and 90s in those spots. If it's cloudy or overcast, they choose to stay in their boxes where it's warmer.

For a smaller tortoise like yours, I'd probably wait at least until the mid 60s, but I'd keep an eye on the behavior. If the tortoise gets cold and goes and parks somewhere, there is no point in outside time. If they are basking, or exploring, or grazing, then its a good day for outside time.

I move them outside full time at anywhere from 8-10 inches, and I do that in late spring when it warms up. Then they have all summer and into fall to learn the routine of using their boxes at night and on cold or rainy days. Prior to that size, I like to have a suitable indoor enclosure with proper heating and lighting for nights and cooler days when outside time isn't a good idea.

This is super helpful, thank you so much! I'll definitely put her out when it hits the 60s and see how she responds/monitor her temp.
Perfect, I'll start planning and building her outdoor enclosure in hopes she's reached adequate size by spring and will also work on a larger indoor enclosure so she has more space during these colder months. Really appreciate your input!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

What is the coldest they can tolerate at this size in the sun? Also, at what size can she be out full time? I need to decide if I'm going to build a much larger indoor enclosure or put my efforts into the outdoor enclosure/heated shelter.

Check this post out:

Understanding Outdoor and Ground Temperatures

Recently there have been several posts about what temperature it is safe to allow a tortoise outdoors, as we normally see this time of year. So instead of a reply to an individual post, I thought I would post a new thread that could be referred to and more could see. My biggest concern with...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[ckiley]

Check this post out:

Understanding Outdoor and Ground Temperatures

Recently there have been several posts about what temperature it is safe to allow a tortoise outdoors, as we normally see this time of year. So instead of a reply to an individual post, I thought I would post a new thread that could be referred to and more could see. My biggest concern with...

tortoiseforum.org

Wow, never would've thought a simple question would have such a complex answer LOL. Thank you for this, a very interesting read and definitely provides a better understanding!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Wow, never would've thought a simple question would have such a complex answer LOL. Thank you for this, a very interesting read and definitely provides a better understanding!

Like Tom said, there are many variables!