how hot is too hot?

[Anastasia]

I would like to let my Hermann's go outside today in the pen I made them. We are expecting temps of mid-90's. Is that too hot, assuming they'd have lots of shade, and nice damp soil to dig into if they want? They are 3.5" in size, btw.

 

[JoesMum]

It's the minimum temperature that's a problem. As long as there's plenty of shade available let him go out and don't worry.

What you will see when the thermometer rises is more activity early morning and late evening and your tort hiding away in the middle of the day, don't worry about.

 

[Tom]

Should be just fine. They will probably use their shade and hides most of the day. But they will still get refracted UV from being outside. You ought to check the temps in their hides with a temp gun or a remote probe, just to be sure. There are different ways to offer shade and some of them will still allow a shelter to get too hot. A thermometer will insure this is not the case in YOUR enclosure.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I've found than a "cave" made from slabs of limestone stays quite a bit cooler than the sunny area of an enclosure...when I tested out a temperature gun a few days ago, on an unseasonably warm day, while the ground and basking rock got to 97F, inside the cave was merely 78F. Limestone, being light colored, reflects away heat, while dark stone tends of absorb heat.

Lowe's and Home Depot sell large (18" X 30" or thereabouts) flat limestone slabs for around $7.

 

[Anastasia]

Thanks for the help, guys! They enjoyed their time outside today, and when I brought them in tonight, they were covered with soil up to their armpits (if that's possible)!