Those thermostat are rated to 1000 watts. You'll have to add up your total wattage.Tom re: the heat controller ... will I need one for each ( Pad & Heater )
Those thermostat are rated to 1000 watts. You'll have to add up your total wattage.Tom re: the heat controller ... will I need one for each ( Pad & Heater )
Thank you for your inputI 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.
just got the Vet report from the owner and wt. is 151 lb and she is a she and in great health she is now owned by the orig. owners daughter not sure what the age I forgot to ask but I will I will go pick her up as soon as I have the she-shed set up in a week or so and I will post photos.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...
thanksCan't wait to see the final shed set up, let alone pix of ur Sully. Welcome to the Forum!
she is coming from a single owner. she is coming from the LA area. I will post as soon as I have pen all set up most likely go get her next weekend.Do you mind if I ask where she's coming from...a
breeder? Single tortoise home? You're in Tehachapi...is she local to you? Pleasee post photos once you get her...
I agree with tom. I followed his plan and built a box all by myself. I did ad 4 handles and 4 industrial wheels. It took me a few days to do but my Salcutta female goes in every night. The 1st week she didn't go in. I thought i did all thet work for nothing but then I lead her in with food a few times and she went in on her own. Now she sleeps on that pig blanket in her safe & sturdy box that should last a lifetime.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 agree. He doesn't look bigger than my 110lb sulcata, but then, it's always hard to judge from a picture.Judging by the size of your foot...I don't think he weighs much more than 80-85 pounds. Put a tape on him...and weigh him yourself