THEELEG
Well-Known Member
Sulcatas
Quick question (is it too cold to put tortoise outside?)
- Thread starter THEELEG
- Start date
In Europe and some parts of the US people use cold frames, or mini-greenhouses, to be able to get their tortoises outside earlier in spring and keep them out longer in fall. This seems to work well for a temperate species in a temperate climate, but I would not recommend it for a tropical species like a sulcata in a temperate climate.
Use your temp gun to check ground and surface temps. If its warm enough to put them out, try it and check carapace temps every few minutes to see if they are warming or cooling.
Use your temp gun to check ground and surface temps. If its warm enough to put them out, try it and check carapace temps every few minutes to see if they are warming or cooling.
THEELEG
Well-Known Member
What should the ground be around, got a pic of one of these green houses??
I like ground temps to be at least 75 and climbing. Its not difficult to get a ground temp of 75 in the sun even on a 55 degree day.
Do a search for "cold frame" for pics. If a russian comes out from under the cold frame to forage on a 55 degree day, it won't hurt a thing. If a baby sulcata does the same thing, it could end badly.
I put my tortoises out when temperatures are in the mid 60's with full sun. Ground temperature in unshaded parts of their pen are often 30 degrees warmer. I just check on the tortoises often (retired) to make sure they don't settle in for too long in a relatively cold spot.
In an area that is sunny, but protected from the wind/breeze, it is safe to put your tortoise out in cooler weather. The sun warms up the protected area nicely for tortoises. Just keep checking the spot to be sure it's still warm and sunny.
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- Aug 24, 2013
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Exactly
I'm in the UK and Joe's been part of the family for 46 years
His Cold Frame on bare earth so he can dig in and where the sun rises in the morning
His Dog Kennel. Insulated and with a basking lamp where he can recharge
I have also spread blue slate chips in his favourite sun bathing spot. They get warm even when the sun is weak and he loves to lie on them.
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- Aug 20, 2011
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My Sulcatas spend all year outside... They have a heated hide... My big sulcatas over 100lbs) and some under 6" that come out and lay in the sun for a few hrs on 40* days.... Return to the hide warm up and come right back out.... Don't underestimate there ability to thermoregulate...
