Large sulcata winter shed?

[Betsy]

Hi. I have a growing boy (honestly can’t tell ) who will need a much bigger hide this coming winter. We live in Charlotte NC, and our winters are usually mild, but have their moments. We get a few weeks spread out that are in the 20s/30s during the day, but usually hang out solidly in the 40s with 20/30s nights. At worst we have ice or snow (got 8 inches this year for the first time in 10 years!). I give my tort the option to come out if he wants when it’s sunny.

We are thinking of taking a home depo shed and insulating it to high hell. My tort is too big now I believe for overhead lamps, I don’t want to hurt his shell, so I’m wondering if I need to make a night hide and keep the rest of the shed 80-85 all winter? But since he doesn’t bask under a bulb, is his night hide supposed to be 90 or higher? Do I keep the whole shed at 90 during the day and 80 at night with some panels and mats? Also, he likes to soak in his pool in the summer, is that a no go for winter inside his shed?

So many things to change now that he’s bigger. I’ve attached a picture for size

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hopefully @Tom or @Maggie3fan can advice you.

 

[Tom]

Get a 40 foot non-functioning refrigerated sea container. They are R-30 insulated and made of materials that will never rot. Plus you can move it if needed. You can cut a hole in the side to make a door, or you can close in the opening of one of the already existing doors as your door. Delivered cost is around 5K. Or you can get a regular sea container and do all the insulating yourself for around the same cost once its all done.

It would be a good idea to keep the whole ting 80ish all the time, with an area that gets into the 90s during the day. A radiant heat panel over a Kane mat inside some sort of smaller "house" should do this nicely.

 

[Betsy]

Get a 40 foot non-functioning refrigerated sea container. They are R-30 insulated and made of materials that will never rot. Plus you can move it if needed. You can cut a hole in the side to make a door, or you can close in the opening of one of the already existing doors as your door. Delivered cost is around 5K. Or you can get a regular sea container and do all the insulating yourself for around the same cost once its all done.

It would be a good idea to keep the whole ting 80ish all the time, with an area that gets into the 90s during the day. A radiant heat panel over a Kane mat inside some sort of smaller "house" should do this nicely.

Yea that’s not gonna go over well with my
Husband as an option lol. We only have about 2 acres so an eyesore like that will be a hard no. I don’t mind a shed, I just need to know what materials will work best and if I should have a smaller “house” in there with the panel and mat. I’m sure a greenhouse heater or something similar will keep the rest of the shed at the temperatures I want. But I wasn’t sure if he still needed a “basking” spot

 

[Maggie3fan]

This was a Gardner's shed...I had a carpenter insulate walls floor and ceiling, there's a doggie door on each side

there's a sleeping box with a pig mat inside on a controller this oil filled radiator keeps the shed at an ambient temperature of 85 degrees...even in the snow

my 100+ pound Sulcata slept in here...this is my 50 lb...

 

[Betsy]

This was a Gardner's shed...I had a carpenter insulate walls floor and ceiling, there's a doggie door on each side

View attachment 399822there's a sleeping box with a pig mat inside on a controller this oil filled radiator keeps the shed at an ambient temperature of 85 degrees...even in the snow
View attachment 399823
my 100+ pound Sulcata slept in here...this is my 50 lb...View attachment 399824View attachment 399826

Thank you! This is exactly what I’m looking at. You said the heater maintains the ambient temp. What do you do for UVA/UVB and daylight? Do you also use a ceramic heater? Is it just the mat in the little hide?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you! This is exactly what I’m looking at. You said the heater maintains the ambient temp. What do you do for UVA/UVB and daylight? Do you also use a ceramic heater? Is it just the mat in the little hide?

You could set the lighting/heating similar to how @Tim Carlisle has his, I’m sure he can share some pics for you

 

[Yvonne G]

I also used a shed, like Maggie. I hung a CHE (don't remember the wattage, but it was a big one ) from the ceiling, but it was high enough it only heated the shed, and didn't harm the tortoise. There was a pig blanket on the floor that he slept on, but the shed was big enough he had plenty of room to get off it. I a!ways opened his door every day, even on the coldest days. It was his own choosing to go out in the cold or hurry back inside the shed.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

You could set the lighting/heating similar to how @Tim Carlisle has his, I’m sure he can share some pics for you

Here’s a video of this set up btw, hopefully maggie will get back to you too

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Moria_Testudo]

Hi. I have a growing boy (honestly can’t tell ) who will need a much bigger hide this coming winter. We live in Charlotte NC, and our winters are usually mild, but have their moments. We get a few weeks spread out that are in the 20s/30s during the day, but usually hang out solidly in the 40s with 20/30s nights. At worst we have ice or snow (got 8 inches this year for the first time in 10 years!). I give my tort the option to come out if he wants when it’s sunny.

We are thinking of taking a home depo shed and insulating it to high hell. My tort is too big now I believe for overhead lamps, I don’t want to hurt his shell, so I’m wondering if I need to make a night hide and keep the rest of the shed 80-85 all winter? But since he doesn’t bask under a bulb, is his night hide supposed to be 90 or higher? Do I keep the whole shed at 90 during the day and 80 at night with some panels and mats? Also, he likes to soak in his pool in the summer, is that a no go for winter inside his shed?

So many things to change now that he’s bigger. I’ve attached a picture for sizeView attachment 399816

I am also in Charlotte, I do not yet have a tortoise, but I love sulcatas. How long do you keep him outdoors?

 

[Betsy]

I am also in Charlotte, I do not yet have a tortoise, but I love sulcatas. How long do you keep him outdoors?

He’s about 50lbs now so he has access to the yard whenever he wants it, except for extreme temps under 30 or when there’s heavy snow. Before he was inside 24/7 except for summer play dates out in the yard since I had to maintain his temps and humidity more rigidly

 

[Maggie3fan]

He’s about 50lbs now so he has access to the yard whenever he wants it, except for extreme temps under 30 or when there’s heavy snow. Before he was inside 24/7 except for summer play dates out in the yard since I had to maintain his temps and humidity more rigidly

I didn't use any UVB lights as he went outside by himself every day...I did use an oil filled radiator type heater on a rehostat that keeps the shed a constant 80 degrees....

 

[EppsDynasty]

We have nearly 200 Sulcatas and 1 over 300 pounds this is HOW we do it. Of course you can spend 1000 watts to do it but why when it can be done with less than 150 watts?
Please don't take offense to this...... If your husband is not ok with doing whatever is needed for the tort you are not doing the tort justice, it is just an afterthought. These animals deserve every bit of your love which includes their comfort and Psychological well being. The tort should not accommodate you.....You should accommodate him period. My passion is these incredible animals please take this for what it's worth, the truth not an attack on you in anyway.

 

[Betsy]

We have nearly 200 Sulcatas and 1 over 300 pounds this is HOW we do it. Of course you can spend 1000 watts to do it but why when it can be done with less than 150 watts?
Please don't take offense to this...... If your husband is not ok with doing whatever is needed for the tort you are not doing the tort justice, it is just an afterthought. These animals deserve every bit of your love which includes their comfort and Psychological well being. The tort should not accommodate you.....You should accommodate him period. My passion is these incredible animals please take this for what it's worth, the truth not an attack on you in anyway.

I appreciate the info. I never said my husband wants on with doing what was ok for the tort. Just that one option that was submitted was not the best for our yard

 

[jojay327]

Hi. I have a growing boy (honestly can’t tell ) who will need a much bigger hide this coming winter. We live in Charlotte NC, and our winters are usually mild, but have their moments. We get a few weeks spread out that are in the 20s/30s during the day, but usually hang out solidly in the 40s with 20/30s nights. At worst we have ice or snow (got 8 inches this year for the first time in 10 years!). I give my tort the option to come out if he wants when it’s sunny.

We are thinking of taking a home depo shed and insulating it to high hell. My tort is too big now I believe for overhead lamps, I don’t want to hurt his shell, so I’m wondering if I need to make a night hide and keep the rest of the shed 80-85 all winter? But since he doesn’t bask under a bulb, is his night hide supposed to be 90 or higher? Do I keep the whole shed at 90 during the day and 80 at night with some panels and mats? Also, he likes to soak in his pool in the summer, is that a no go for winter inside his shed?

So many things to change now that he’s bigger. I’ve attached a picture for sizeView attachment 399816

Hi. I have a growing boy (honestly can’t tell ) who will need a much bigger hide this coming winter. We live in Charlotte NC, and our winters are usually mild, but have their moments. We get a few weeks spread out that are in the 20s/30s during the day, but usually hang out solidly in the 40s with 20/30s nights. At worst we have ice or snow (got 8 inches this year for the first time in 10 years!). I give my tort the option to come out if he wants when it’s sunny.

We are thinking of taking a home depo shed and insulating it to high hell. My tort is too big now I believe for overhead lamps, I don’t want to hurt his shell, so I’m wondering if I need to make a night hide and keep the rest of the shed 80-85 all winter? But since he doesn’t bask under a bulb, is his night hide supposed to be 90 or higher? Do I keep the whole shed at 90 during the day and 80 at night with some panels and mats? Also, he likes to soak in his pool in the summer, is that a no go for winter inside his shed?

So many things to change now that he’s bigger. I’ve attached a picture for sizeView attachment 399816

I live in Columbia SC so not far at all. Don’t over think it just build a bigger house. I use a 8x4x4 fully insulated, I built a door for me on the right and he has his entrance on the left. Very simple design, built in one day. I use an oil filled heater set at 75. He also has a Kane heat mat with thermostat and a wilbanks radiant heat panel above his mat. Three years with this set up and zero issues. The floor of his house is compost, soil and sand all mixed up and spot cleaned daily. He is out every day even in the snow. Just build it.

 

[Betsy]

I live in Columbia SC so not far at all. Don’t over think it just build a bigger house. I use a 8x4x4 fully insulated, I built a door for me on the right and he has his entrance on the left. Very simple design, built in one day. I use an oil filled heater set at 75. He also has a Kane heat mat with thermostat and a wilbanks radiant heat panel above his mat. Three years with this set up and zero issues. The floor of his house is compost, soil and sand all mixed up and spot cleaned daily. He is out every day even in the snow. Just build it.

Perfect! Thank you!

 

[Betsy]

I live in Columbia SC so not far at all. Don’t over think it just build a bigger house. I use a 8x4x4 fully insulated, I built a door for me on the right and he has his entrance on the left. Very simple design, built in one day. I use an oil filled heater set at 75. He also has a Kane heat mat with thermostat and a wilbanks radiant heat panel above his mat. Three years with this set up and zero issues. The floor of his house is compost, soil and sand all mixed up and spot cleaned daily. He is out every day even in the snow. Just build it.

How did you get yours to eat hay? mine despises the stuff and I have to hide it in other food

 

[jojay327]

How did you get yours to eat hay? mine despises the stuff and I have to hide it in other food

He eats everything. Doesn’t matter. It’s funny though he still loves to be hand fed.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Perfect! Thank you!

I live in Columbia SC so not far at all. Don’t over think it just build a bigger house. I use a 8x4x4 fully insulated, I built a door for me on the right and he has his entrance on the left. Very simple design, built in one day. I use an oil filled heater set at 75. He also has a Kane heat mat with thermostat and a wilbanks radiant heat panel above his mat. Three years with this set up and zero issues. The floor of his house is compost, soil and sand all mixed up and spot cleaned daily. He is out every day even in the snow. Just build it.

I have posted these photos before but here...I live in Corvallis Oregon and operated a small special needs turtle and tortoise rescue...Sulcata are my second most favorite species...I have always had one. Anyway...I live in snow country
this is a 20'x12' heated and insulated tortoise shed...The walls, floor and ceiling are insulated. Walls and ceiling used that sheet styrafoambut the floor is that pink fluffy stuff...
inside is a sleeping box, big enuf for a large Sulcatathere is an oil filled radiator heater built off the ground, inside the box in a corner is a cane mat with regulator...there are 3 incandescent flood lights hanging from the ceiling in different areas...and one CHE hanging. there's a tort table on legs and 2 doggie doors, my advice would be...go as big as possible as Sulcata grow really fast...
this shed stays a constant 85 degrees all winter, but there's only one small window, so in the summer, I have to watch the heat. There is a people door. Anyway...this is a cheaper option for Sulcata. Somewhere I have photos of snow Sulcata....but of course I couldn't find that, but there is me on a perfect 200 pound Sudanese Sulcata, belonging to a friend....

I live in Columbia SC so not far at all. Don’t over think it just build a bigger house. I use a 8x4x4 fully insulated, I built a door for me on the right and he has his entrance on the left. Very simple design, built in one day. I use an oil filled heater set at 75. He also has a Kane heat mat with thermostat and a wilbanks radiant heat panel above his mat. Three years with this set up and zero issues. The floor of his house is compost, soil and sand all mixed up and spot cleaned daily. He is out every day even in the snow. Just build it.

For some inrichment one of my Sulcata named Mary Knobbins loves to go swimming in the box turtle pond, and she carries a 15" tire around for fun..
jojay327...please forgive whatever I did that attached my post to you instead of the op...I quit trying to fix it...I'm sorry. Maybe a mod can fix it