Clarification on Housing My Sulcata outdoors at night....please (:

[Scm133]

Milo is 20 months. He weighs 5.2 lbs and is 9". I have a house set up in his outdoor enclosure, but I have a few questions. I am in Florida, so our temps are 88-68. If I lock him in his outdoor house at night with hay, do I need to keep his temps at 80 degrees, or will the 68 night temps be ok? Thanks!!

 

[Scm133]

Ok, maybe I need to rephrase this. What is the acceptable temp range for their outdoor house?

 

[Tom]

In dry climates at least, adults can certainly survive temperatures that low, but that doesn't mean its good for them. With yours being a small/young one, and with your high humidity and rainfall I think you are at serious risk for a respiratory infection. Its a simple matter to put a Kane heat mat and a radiant heat panel all set on a thermostat out there for him. This will insure he stays warm and healthy even when your unusual cold snaps hit. Don't use hay with a pig blanket.

 

[Scm133]

Thanks, Tom! What temperature am I aiming for in the outside house?

 

[Tom]

Thanks, Tom! What temperature am I aiming for in the outside house?

In summer when temps are around 100 and VERY sunny every single day, I set mine for around 75ish. In winter when some days are cloudy and only reach a high of 60, I jack the temps up to 86-88, so they have a warm place to go. During warm winter days with highs near 80, I set the temps around 80ish.

For YOUR guy in YOUR area, I would set it no lower than 80 year round. The electric heat will keep the box drier in your extremely humid environment. My area is so dry that I have to go to great lengths to ADD humidity to my night boxes.

Here are a couple examples of mine:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

 

[Scm133]

Thanks for your help!