Sulcata winter shelter

hi everyone,
I live in Bonneau SC, the winters aren’t horrible but will still have frost and it snows once in a blue moon,
Problem I’m having is my sulcata won’t come out of her heated shelter. She is only around 7 inches. I expanded the heated shelter and put in a Uv tube. I bring her in at night, give her a soak and she sleeps in a makeshift enclosure in the house.
She is eating well, appetite hasn’t slowed down a bit. Just feel bad that she isn’t roaming getting some natural sunlight.
I’ve seen pics of Sulcatas in the snow, will she become more bold with age and size.
I’m also concerned that if she does decide to got out and graze she will end up with a RI.
Any advice?

How long have you had her exposed to the outdoor enclosure? Is this something she had access to during the warmer months?

Yes she stayed outdoors all summer and most of fall

Sulcata are not supposed to be exposed to anything colder than 70°. They are from Africa where it doesn't get cold.

Helyun said:

Sulcata are not supposed to be exposed to anything colder than 70°. They are from Africa where it doesn't get cold.

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Salcatas will go in the cold as long as they have a place to warm up

Well, Everything I have learned in the last year and a half has said they should NEVER be allowed to go colder than 70° that they can't handle it.

Rex1718 said:

hi everyone,
I live in Bonneau SC, the winters aren’t horrible but will still have frost and it snows once in a blue moon,
Problem I’m having is my sulcata won’t come out of her heated shelter. She is only around 7 inches. I expanded the heated shelter and put in a Uv tube. I bring her in at night, give her a soak and she sleeps in a makeshift enclosure in the house.
She is eating well, appetite hasn’t slowed down a bit. Just feel bad that she isn’t roaming getting some natural sunlight.
I’ve seen pics of Sulcatas in the snow, will she become more bold with age and size.
I’m also concerned that if she does decide to got out and graze she will end up with a RI.
Any advice?

Click to expand...

They need large indoor heated enclosures for nights and cold weather until they are at least 8-10". I would not move one outside full time at 6-7 inches.

I would not allow them access to the great outdoors at that size when outside temps are cold, and I would never let one outside when there is snow or frost, even if there was a place to warm up. I am aware that some people do this and their tortoises survive, but that doesn't make it okay or good. It also doesn't mean that some of them don't get sick or die if people aren't paying close enough attention.

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate y’all taking the time to answer my questions. I think I will keep her out of the cold until it warms back up.