Can our 5 yr.old 50 lb sulcata sleep outside in mid Fl.? Door is blocked with thick wood. How low can temp go for him to be safe?

[zezike]

Can our 5 yr. old 50 lb. Sulcata Sleep outside in mid Fl. Winter weather in largest igloo, covered all around with dirt and some stone? Door opening is blocked safely with thick wood. How low can temperature go in order for him to be safe?

 

[wellington]

You will have to have a heat source to keep him at 80 on the colder days and nights.
Take a look at Tom's night box thread. He lives in CA and uses the 4x8 for his sulcatas.

 

[zezike]

You will have to have a heat source to keep him at 80 on the colder days and nights.
Take a look at Tom's night box thread. He lives in CA and uses the 4x8 for his sulcatas.

Thank you for your reply. I have to figure out how to find his post

 

[Mrs.Jennifer]

Thank you for your reply. I have to figure out how to find his post

I only have a little Russian, but I can help you with Tom’s thread!

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[wellington]

The one thread that shows the bigger 4x8 noght box pictures are no longer available.
But this thread shows how he does it for smaller torts like a leopard. For a sulcata you can do the same but use full sheets of plywood so it would be 4x8.
Thread 'Single Tortoise Night Box' https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/single-tortoise-night-box.181515/

 

[Mrs.Jennifer]

The one thread that shows the bigger 4x8 noght box pictures are no longer available.
But this thread shows how he does it for smaller torts like a leopard. For a sulcata you can do the same but use full sheets of plywood so it would be 4x8.
Thread 'Single Tortoise Night Box' https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/single-tortoise-night-box.181515/

Thanks for the correction!

 

[Tom]

Can our 5 yr. old 50 lb. Sulcata Sleep outside in mid Fl. Winter weather in largest igloo, covered all around with dirt and some stone? Door opening is blocked safely with thick wood. How low can temperature go in order for him to be safe?

Your tortoise needs an insulated, sealed, closable box with a safe heat source controlled by a thermostat. Dog houses of any kind do not work. Those are made for dogs, and they don't work well for tortoises. I've tried Dogloos, various dog houses, deck boxes and plastic sheds over the years, and they just don't work.

You get a few cold nights up in Orlando, so I would set the thermostat to 80 ad just leave it there. If it is warmer than that day or night, the thermostat will just keep the heat source off.

I use the 4x4 boxes for single sulcatas, and 4x8 boxes for multiples. Here are both of those:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

Make sure he is in there and close the door every night. This will protect him from rats, raccoons, fire ants, and any other critters while he sleeps at night. Open the door each morning, and he can come out when he wants.

 

[zezike]

Your tortoise needs an insulated, sealed, closable box with a safe heat source controlled by a thermostat. Dog houses of any kind do not work. Those are made for dogs, and they don't work well for tortoises. I've tried Dogloos, various dog houses, deck boxes and plastic sheds over the years, and they just don't work.

You get a few cold nights up in Orlando, so I would set the thermostat to 80 ad just leave it there. If it is warmer than that day or night, the thermostat will just keep the heat source off.

I use the 4x4 boxes for single sulcatas, and 4x8 boxes for multiples. Here are both of those:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

Make sure he is in there and close the door every night. This will protect him from rats, raccoons, fire ants, and any other critters while he sleeps at night. Open the door each morning, and he can come out when he wants.

 

[zezike]

Thank you very much Tom for your reply,very useful information, We will follow your advice

 

[Tom]

Thank you very much Tom for your reply,very useful information, We will follow your advice

Well in that case... Here are a couple more threads that should help with the build:

Here is the 4x8 rendering of Tom's Night Box. With Exploded view.

This is a rendering I did based off of @Tom 's heated night box enclosure. Its probably not a 100% accurate. Door is offset to one side for my personal needs but can easily be moved. Let me know if you see any issues with it. Feed back appreciated. High res renderings can be downloaded here...

tortoiseforum.org

What You'll Need to Build A Night Box

I just typed up a list of the needed supplies to build a night box and thought I'd copy paste it here: For sulcatas, I make the doors 26x16". This will fit all but the largest of large males for their entire life. If you end up with one of the giants, you will eventually have to make another...

tortoiseforum.org

Questions are welcome!

 

[wellington]

Sorry, I thought the 4x8 was for a single sulcata and 4x4 for smaller. A 4x4 makes it cheaper, less sheets of plywood needed.