SabineTheBean
Member
Working on the final parts of Ku’s enclosure. Should I have a basking lamp or anything for heat? A UV light in an outdoor enclosure wouldn’t be necessary. For reference I live in a place is around 85 degrees every day
Do outdoor enclosures need lighting?
- Thread starter SabineTheBean
- Start date
No lighting needed in an outdoor pen. A heated night box is needed for some species and not others. What tortoise are you building for?
What species and size tortoise? What size box? If this is for a sulcata, then no, you don't need lights as this is supposed to somewhat simulate a burrow for them. You also don't want to use a basking lamp on a sulcata that is large enough to be living outside full time because it can damage their carapace. Radiant heat panels work best when you need additional daytime heat for larger tortoises.
If I recall, you are somewhat close to the coast? It might hit 85 in summer once in a while, but certainly not every day.
SabineTheBean
Member
True, I think I actually need to check the weather app more often haha. Yeah it averages around 70
SabineTheBean
Member
Okay got it! Yeah she’s a sulcata and the box is 16 by 16 ft. Thanks!!
SabineTheBean
Member
A sulcata
You mean the enclosure is 16x16 feet? The night box only needs to be 4x4 or 4x8 for a sulcata.
SabineTheBean
Member
Yeah enclosure sorry
Your heated box should have either a radiant heat panel/Kane mat combo, or a mini radiant oil heater. Set the thermostat to 80 for most of the year, and bump it up to 86 in winter when they have a tougher time getting warm enough outside.
