Here in south Louisiana ( as in other states) we've been having exceptionally severe heat. I don't worry about my Hermann's tortoise, Elsa, because I had her outdoor enclosure built with a large portion of it in deep shade. One day last week I decided to just check the ground temperatures in her enclosure. For people who have a different species of tortoise, the Eastern Hermann's does best in a temperature range of 75*-85* (F) with a basking area of about 95*. The ground in the deepest shade of her enclosure was 95*!!! WH-A-A-A-T??!?!?? I was shocked.
That meant that EVERYWHERE else she could possibly go would be higher than her recommended basking range- and the day was still early, so it was going to get hotter. Just for the heck of it I checked the temperature of the ground in the sun: 122*!!!!!! I almost panicked then, but found her inside one of her hides. Both her carapace and the skin fold in her shoulder registered 93*, so she was OK. I scooped her up and brought her inside to the small enclosure we use in the winter time and took her back out later, after the sun went down and things cooled off, at least into safe zones for her. So she's traveling in and out, depending on the time of day. USUALLY we only do this in the late Fall and early Spring, when nighttimes get too COLD for her if it's wet. But looks like we'll be doing it this summer, too!
Best wishes to everyone for safe heat management!!!
Mooz
P.S. She's taking this all with her usual serene acceptance. She is my guru.
That meant that EVERYWHERE else she could possibly go would be higher than her recommended basking range- and the day was still early, so it was going to get hotter. Just for the heck of it I checked the temperature of the ground in the sun: 122*!!!!!! I almost panicked then, but found her inside one of her hides. Both her carapace and the skin fold in her shoulder registered 93*, so she was OK. I scooped her up and brought her inside to the small enclosure we use in the winter time and took her back out later, after the sun went down and things cooled off, at least into safe zones for her. So she's traveling in and out, depending on the time of day. USUALLY we only do this in the late Fall and early Spring, when nighttimes get too COLD for her if it's wet. But looks like we'll be doing it this summer, too!
Best wishes to everyone for safe heat management!!!
Mooz
P.S. She's taking this all with her usual serene acceptance. She is my guru.