OK, the enclosure is done, and all that is left is the substrate and of course the Tort. Thinking of a Greek or a Hermanns, baby(s). So here is my question. I live in Michigan and it is chilly here now. Would the enclosure be OK in the basement with a heat lamp and a 36 inch light fixture and a substrate of soil, cypress bark and moss. The basement is heated and the Temp is never below 65. The house itself is set at 73 year round. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
new tort
- Thread starter Rob N
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It should be fine. Just get the lights and heat set up and get yourself a temp gun, Home Depot for around 30 bucks or so. The check temps and see if you have to lower heat or add more. Then get your tort and enjoy. Just be sure to get hi outside next summer in the good old sunshine as often as possible.
Lots of people in colder climates make use of basement space for tortoise-keeping.
emysemys said:
oh my, i bet it's 'potent' in there,,,, lol =]
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I'm in northern Indiana with an ibera Greek about 3 months old now. He seems to being doing just fine in my apartment that is kept at 70. Just make sure that its staying those temperatures at night also. I've had to crank up the heat a bit to keep his enclosure which is on the floor warm enough at night. If you get an ibera Greek, I've been told 66 and up are good night temps as long as the baby is healthy! I'm still pretty new at all this so just do the research first. 😊 I have several threads about what all I've been through between picking a species, getting my hatchling, and then the baby getting sick, and now his road to recovery. Happy to say he's doing very well now. Iberas seem to be troopers!
Rob N said:
I agree with wellington, im using our basement for a place for a large excersize area, but the tort kids are upstairs in there enclosure.
Where abouts you from in MI Rob? We have had crapy chilly weather for sometime now, been stoaking the wood stove for several days staying very toasty in here
we had a snow dusting this morn but nothing sticking to the ground it melted befour it hit the ground been back and forth with rain, ice/snow pellets most the day. I dont think we are even gona see a indian summer this yr.
Mjdeisher said:
I'm concerned about winter temps too, but are you talking about cranking up the heat in the apartment?
I think using a heat mat and/or CHE would be cheaper than raising the heat in the entire house. At least I hope so...
tyrs4u said:
Earthy if kept clean.
But still earthy.
I am going to see how an ozone (and other ion) generator makes things. I have concerns regarding the humidity and microbial growth. Especially molds. Just something to keep in mind.
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Tortus said:
I've had issues with it getting to hot in there for him and he gets dehydrated to quickly. That's why I do it. As winter sets in, I'm considering giving him one of the bathrooms that aren't on an outside wall. Haha. But whatever works for you as long as its nice and comfy for your new baby!
Next winter I'm going to make two pretty big winter enclosures in my basement, it's unfinished and pretty empty, just a ping pong table, lol. It usually stays around 60+F downstairs year round. Gbtortoises told me that would make ideal overnight temps for my Russians and hermanns.
I want to try to make a couple 8' x 8'. My adult RT is currently in a 4' x4' winter enclosure, his outdoor home is 8 x 8. My baby RT's are each in their own 4 x2.5' enclosures, outdoors they each have their own 4 x8' home. The three hermann babies are currently all in a 4 x2'.
I have more enclosures in my living room than furniture! Lol!!! My son is 20, so I guess I can use his room too once he leaves the nest .... Lol
I want to try to make a couple 8' x 8'. My adult RT is currently in a 4' x4' winter enclosure, his outdoor home is 8 x 8. My baby RT's are each in their own 4 x2.5' enclosures, outdoors they each have their own 4 x8' home. The three hermann babies are currently all in a 4 x2'.
I have more enclosures in my living room than furniture! Lol!!! My son is 20, so I guess I can use his room too once he leaves the nest .... Lol
I am in Madison Heights outside of Detroit..
I agree with wellington, im using our basement for a place for a large excersize area, but the tort kids are upstairs in there enclosure.
Where abouts you from in MI Rob? We have had crapy chilly weather for sometime now, been stoaking the wood stove for several days staying very toasty in here we had a snow dusting this morn but nothing sticking to the ground it melted befour it hit the ground been back and forth with rain, ice/snow pellets most the day. I dont think we are even gona see a indian summer this yr.
[/quote]
I agree with wellington, im using our basement for a place for a large excersize area, but the tort kids are upstairs in there enclosure.
Where abouts you from in MI Rob? We have had crapy chilly weather for sometime now, been stoaking the wood stove for several days staying very toasty in here
we had a snow dusting this morn but nothing sticking to the ground it melted befour it hit the ground been back and forth with rain, ice/snow pellets most the day. I dont think we are even gona see a indian summer this yr.[/quote]
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