How long without heat

Hankilloh

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
31
Location (City and/or State)
Saskatoon!! Say whaaaaat
I'm going on a trip and planning on taking my little hermmy and the drive there is about 3-4 ish hours and I'm wondering if that's too long without heat.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
53,938
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
What are the temps in your area and where your going? Also if it seems too cold, turn the car heater on if your driving. As long as it doesn't get below a temp they normally can't live with then it's fine
 

WithLisa

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2015
Messages
967
Location (City and/or State)
Austria
I think you don't need to bring anything with you if it's not freezing. Just look at the temperatures in their countries of origin, there are also chilly days from time to time.

Might even be easier if he's too cold to constantly move arround in the box.
 

144 Grandpa Turtle

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Apr 3, 2013
Messages
11,360
Location (City and/or State)
Phoenix
I think you don't need to bring anything with you if it's not freezing. Just look at the temperatures in their countries of origin, there are also chilly days from time to time.

Might even be easier if he's too cold to constantly move arround in the box.
Hibernation can be a problem in it self but to do it for 3-4 hours would be areal bad idea in my thoughts . That's why sellers use hand warmers when shipping torts by overnight shipping .
 

WithLisa

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2015
Messages
967
Location (City and/or State)
Austria
I've never shipped a tortoise, but I would also be overly careful and use hand warmers (or rather not ship a tortoise at all) since you never know if there'll be delays and maybe even frost.

But they don't start to hibernate just because of a few hours of cold weather. My night temperatures are only 40-50F at this time of the year (same as in some of their habitats) and my torts don't mind at all - on the contrary, it seems to me that they are even more active after cold nights.
 

JoesMum

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
21,568
Location (City and/or State)
Kent, South East England
I agree that there's no need for heat. It's unlikely to be freezing in your car. If there's snow and ice, don't put it in the trunk. Otherwise it will be fine.

Your tort will be less stressed by the journey if it hasn't warmed up properly. There's nothing worse than a pacing tort on a long journey. 3-4 hours is less time than overnight.
 
Top