Cable heaters

[Sulcata_Sandy]

I'm looking into a cable heater for my Torts. Any pros/cons?



Sandy in Oregon
.....................................................
Veterinary Technician, 21 years of critter luvin'
Schlomo aka "Mo" the rescue Sulcata, "man without a face"
"Larry" the Golden Greek..adopted
Dexter and Lola (Basenjis...show dogs extraordinare)

No kids, no husband, just critters and I'm happy.
Sent from my iPad using TortForum mobile app

 

[lynnedit]

I like the Big Apple Pet Supply waterproof heat cables. One of the few that are more than just water resistant. Their thermostat is highly recommended, too

 

[Sulcata_Sandy]

Thank you! What is your opinion of cable heaters?


Sandy in Oregon
.....................................................
Veterinary Technician, 21 years of critter luvin'
Schlomo aka "Mo" the rescue Sulcata, "man without a face"
"Larry" the Golden Greek..adopted
Dexter and Lola (Basenjis...show dogs extraordinare)

No kids, no husband, just critters and I'm happy.
Sent from my iPad using TortForum mobile app

 

[pfara]

I use the Big Apple heat rope, as well. Off the top of my head-

Pros: Helps promote humidity a little faster by warming the moisture under the substrate; the ground has a comfortable warmth about it.

Cons: To properly utilize the heat rope, you must use this with a thermostat (but I don't really see this as a major con); some people are opposed to this type of "unnatural heat" because heat should be from the top down (usually when a tort digs down, they're trying to get cooler); I think for hatchlings, they don't know any better and can overheat if they dig down far enough.

I only have a few months of experience, but my redfoots seem to like the warmth. They definitely have plenty of options on where they go to hide and self-regulate when they need to. I also frequently check their temps when they dig into the substrate with a temp gun.

 

[Len B]

I like heating cables, I am in the process of wrapping some old crocks with them in hopes of being able to keep some of the tortoise outside longer this fall using heated crocks as hides.

 

[Sulcata_Sandy]

How often do your torts dig? My Sulcata hasn't once in three weeks, and my new Greek hasn't tried but I've only had him 24 hours.

Sounds ideal to me. And frankly, the ground in Africa is quiet warm. ;-)


Sandy in Oregon
.....................................................
Veterinary Technician, 21 years of critter luvin'
Schlomo aka "Mo" the rescue Sulcata, "man without a face"
"Larry" the Golden Greek..adopted
Dexter and Lola (Basenjis...show dogs extraordinare)

No kids, no husband, just critters and I'm happy.
Sent from my iPad using TortForum mobile app

 

[pfara]

Mine only dig once. It's usually when I replace a root shelter and mix the soil up at the same time. They'll rub their butts into the substrate until a small trench is made under the root shelter and call that their bed.