Excessive Heat

[Stone]

Hello all!

I’m new to the world of tortoise. I received my tortoise a little over a week ago. His name is Harold Torty Williamston. And I was told that he was born late September-early October 2017. So he is not even a year old yet.

I live in Las Vegas, NV and we are currently experiencing a severe heat warning. This week, Tuesday - Thursday, with temperatures above 110. My question is: Is it safe for Harold to be outside during the day? Or should I try to keep him cool and inside the house during the daylight?

Thank you in advance.

 

[daniellenc]

As a wee guy he shouldn’t be housed outside full time. A reasonable estimate is to give an hour per inch of tortoise. I’d choose times after 4 pm or before 11am to let him roam and graze.

 

[Stone]

As a wee guy he shouldn’t be housed outside full time. A reasonable estimate is to give an hour per inch of tortoise. I’d choose times after 4 pm or before 11am to let him roam and graze.

Thank you! I was just worried that I was doing him a disservice by bringing him inside. [emoji813]️

 

[Tom]

What species and what size? Growth rates vary tremendously, so age doesn't help us.

Its best to have a large properly set up and heated indoor enclosure, and a large well designed outdoor enclosure. Use the outside enclosure when the weather is nice. Use the indoor one when weather is no so nice. I wouldn't leave any small tortoise outside when its over 100.

I see a sulcata in your avatar, I think, so here is the sulcata care info:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[Stone]

What species and what size? Growth rates vary tremendously, so age doesn't help us.

Its best to have a large properly set up and heated indoor enclosure, and a large well designed outdoor enclosure. Use the outside enclosure when the weather is nice. Use the indoor one when weather is no so nice. I wouldn't leave any small tortoise outside when its over 100.

I see a sulcata in your avatar, I think, so here is the sulcata care info:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

He’s a desert tortoise. He’s .09kg or 3.1oz. And about 3-4 inches long.

 

[Yvonne G]

My desert tortoise babies spend the first three years of life indoors. They live in a Christmas Tree Storage Bin mfg'd by Iris. So, during good weather in the summer, I can just move the whole bin outside for a few hours, then bring it back inside. They're up for adoption, so I don't usually keep them for the whole three years.

I wouldn't set your baby up outside until next year or the year after. Just take him out for an hour or so every so often when it's not too hot.

In the house:


Outside:

 

[Tom]

He’s a desert tortoise. He’s .09kg or 3.1oz. And about 3-4 inches long.

Ahhh… In that case, Desert tortoise care is the same as Russian tortoise care. Here is what I do for them. I've started many DT babies with these methods and have a 100% success rate:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Our summer days are typically 100-110, so not to far off from yours. Here is how I help them beat the heat:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/semi-underground-russian-box.98590/#post-922226
And going into fall:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/heating-an-outdoor-russian-night-box.116180/#post-1077261