Looking for Advice as we move from CA to TN with our Leopard Tortoise

[RhodaE]

Hi -
If anyone could post a list of recommended equipment for keeping a large leopard tortoise in TN, that would be greatly appreciated.
Our guy has been enjoying his large CA yard for many years. He has a hut with a nighttime warming light (I don't turn it on during warm nights) and a heavy duty heat pad (only for rare winter chills). Rain is so rare here, and when it does rain it's usually light rain and pretty warm out, and he goes out grazing in it.
I know once we get to TN we'll need to set up new fencing and put his hut in a good spot. There will be a great deal more rain than we're used to, and for the cold months we'll need more lamps I'm sure. Just want to make sure we don't miss anything crucial.
Thanks!

 

[Blackdog1714]

Hi -
If anyone could post a list of recommended equipment for keeping a large leopard tortoise in TN, that would be greatly appreciated.
Our guy has been enjoying his large CA yard for many years. He has a hut with a nighttime warming light (I don't turn it on during warm nights) and a heavy duty heat pad (only for rare winter chills). Rain is so rare here, and when it does rain it's usually light rain and pretty warm out, and he goes out grazing in it.
I know once we get to TN we'll need to set up new fencing and put his hut in a good spot. There will be a great deal more rain than we're used to, and for the cold months we'll need more lamps I'm sure. Just want to make sure we don't miss anything crucial.
Thanks!

You have some cold months to prep for that will require a true heated nightbox. https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/single-tortoise-night-box.181515/post-1986776

 

[Tom]

Hi -
If anyone could post a list of recommended equipment for keeping a large leopard tortoise in TN, that would be greatly appreciated.
Our guy has been enjoying his large CA yard for many years. He has a hut with a nighttime warming light (I don't turn it on during warm nights) and a heavy duty heat pad (only for rare winter chills). Rain is so rare here, and when it does rain it's usually light rain and pretty warm out, and he goes out grazing in it.
I know once we get to TN we'll need to set up new fencing and put his hut in a good spot. There will be a great deal more rain than we're used to, and for the cold months we'll need more lamps I'm sure. Just want to make sure we don't miss anything crucial.
Thanks!

Heat lamps shouldn't be used over larger tortoises. It will damage the carapace. The Kane mat is good for the bottom, but you'll need a radiant heat panel over the top too.

There is no night in T.O. that is warm enough for a leopard to have no heat. Not even in summer. You are lucky the tortoise hasn't gotten sick. I'm in SCV, so very similar climates. I work in T.O, all the time, and lived 2 years in Moorpark.

The link from black dog is good, but due to the amount of time the tortoise will be locked up in the much colder winters, you might want to build a bigger box:

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

It might be better get a large shed, insulate and heat it, and then have the 4x4 box inside it for winter. It won't be cheap or easy to keep a leopard tortoise in TN in winter.