PLEASE settle a dispute between my hubby & I

[Mikki]

I have a 6 month old African Spur Tortoise. I live in Florida(Spring Hill, which is Tampa Bay area). Today the high was 70 however, the sun was out, I have an above ground enclosure that is predator proof & I wanted to little my little one outside today. There is a hide in the enclosure & it's under trees because the summer was HOT, but sunshine does shine through it, where Scooter Baby can bask in the sunshine. My hubby said NO it is not hot enough for the baby.. I said YES she can go outside and the sun should be hot enough.

Please will someone tell me what is to cold for a little one to be outside. I know the bigger torts that live outside all year round, absolutely would of been outside today! I do not want to argue with my husband all winter over this so I need expert or a breeders input PLEASE!! I DO NOT use UVB lights for the inside enclosure because I live in Florida and I want to get my little one outside as much as I can to get that sunshine during the winter months..

Thank you for any input in advance...

 

[Tom]

I have a 6 month old African Spur Tortoise. I live in Florida(Spring Hill, which is Tampa Bay area). Today the high was 70 however, the sun was out, I have an above ground enclosure that is predator proof & I wanted to little my little one outside today. There is a hide in the enclosure & it's under trees because the summer was HOT, but sunshine does shine through it, where Scooter Baby can bask in the sunshine. My hubby said NO it is not hot enough for the baby.. I said YES she can go outside and the sun should be hot enough.

Please will someone tell me what is to cold for a little one to be outside. I know the bigger torts that live outside all year round, absolutely would of been outside today! I do not want to argue with my husband all winter over this so I need expert or a breeders input PLEASE!! I DO NOT use UVB lights for the inside enclosure because I live in Florida and I want to get my little one outside as much as I can to get that sunshine during the winter months..

Thank you for any input in advance...

Sorry. It's not that simple. This involves much more than the number on the thermometer.

Is it wet or dry? Windy or still? Sunny or overcast? What is the ground temp in the enclosure?

Here is something to try: Put a tortoise sized rock in the enclosure in a sunny spot, and then temp the rock with an infrared temp gun. If the sun is heating the rock up to more than 85, then your tortoise will be able to warm up too. You can also temp your tortoises carapace while it is outside. If it is staying warm, you should be good to go. If the carapace is staying in the 70s or low 80s due to the dappled shade, it would be best to leave your tortoise inside where it is warm.

 

[Canadian Mojo]

So, I'm up here in Ontario with an adult Redfoot. Somewhat different circumstances, so take it for what it's worth.

I hang out with him and keep checking his temps with the thermometer if it's on the cool side. Anything below 70 for more than about 5-10 minutes and he goes in. If we're sitting at the cusp and he hunkers down in a hide like he's looking for a place to overnight, we go in. Apparently, they can overnight safely (if they can warm up again) down to 65, so 70 for a little while is a safety margin I'm comfortable with.

 

[Mikki]

Sorry. It's not that simple. This involves much more than the number on the thermometer.

Is it wet or dry? Windy or still? Sunny or overcast? What is the ground temp in the enclosure?

Here is something to try: Put a tortoise sized rock in the enclosure in a sunny spot, and then temp the rock with an infrared temp gun. If the sun is heating the rock up to more than 85, then your tortoise will be able to warm up too. You can also temp your tortoises carapace while it is outside. If it is staying warm, you should be good to go. If the carapace is staying in the 70s or low 80s due to the dappled shade, it would be best to leave your tortoise inside where it is warm.

Thank you so much for the reply.. I really appreciate it.. Yes, I will do the temp test next time.. I just knew when I was standing in the sun it felt very hot, but I know I can not go by that obviously.. You gave me a good way of telling.. I really thought if they basked in the sun they would heat up if the sun was shining.. I now feel bad because It was warmer yesterday than today and I put her outside. It was a high 74 and not windy, just a beautiful sunny day and no over cast, the sun shined the whole time. I only had her out for 2 hours. I thought if she was cold she could go in the hide where there is hay, but she didn't, however she did pace alot, but I thought it was because she had not been outside in her big enclosure for almost a week. I checked on her often and when I touched her, she felt warm but now I am wondering if it was because she was not warm enough.. ohhhh lesson learned, I feel like an awful tort owner now and I will have to keep a good eye on her for any signs of now getting sick!! I will never put her out if the sun is shining but a cool wind.. I have put her out when it was humid as hell and a hot breeze, but never a cool breeze. I don't put her out when it is damp either, only if it is summer time heat and very humid. Now I know how to tell, and I will absolutely test it on a rock. I am wondering if I should get a UVB light now or will she be OK? As I said, the day was beautiful and I know older torts would be out for sure, but being only 6 months old, she is more fragile and prone to illness. I suppose until she is big enough & old enough to be outside all the time, I will have to be more careful with the temps outside, even if I am in Florida..

Thank you again for all your info and idea.. Much appreciated.. BTW, My hubby wins this dispute...