With no heat source on during the day in my new outdoor home, the pen is getting to 110 degrees inside due to only the sun heating it up, what is a dangerous temp for my two leopard tortoises if they decide to go in their home during a hot day?
Temp question
- Thread starter Hallbomber
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I think 35oC-45oC is maximum temps.
is the 110F temperature in the open, grassy, outdoor part of the enclosure or is this the temperature inside their hide/box of the enclosure??
If this is their hide house temperature then it is way too hot. I like my outdoor housing to be in the shade. This helps keep the max temps in the mid 80's even on the scorching 100+ days. I prefer the shade of a tree or a large bush. If you don't have either, use a beach umbrella or pile lots of dirt up and over the house so its protected by earth.
These guys need places to cool down when the weather is hot and mid 80s is a temperature I like to have available for them to cool down.
Hope this helps.
If this is their hide house temperature then it is way too hot. I like my outdoor housing to be in the shade. This helps keep the max temps in the mid 80's even on the scorching 100+ days. I prefer the shade of a tree or a large bush. If you don't have either, use a beach umbrella or pile lots of dirt up and over the house so its protected by earth.
These guys need places to cool down when the weather is hot and mid 80s is a temperature I like to have available for them to cool down.
Hope this helps.
Ya that helps Gomberg. They have a 8' X 13' area with plenty of shade, the high temp inside their hide was just a result of the sun beating directly onto their hide, which is a well insulated dog house.
My old houses used to get well over 100 degrees in the summer sun. They would go in there to warm up and come out to find shade when they were warm enough. My new boxes are really well insulated and they don't get as hot inside.
I see Tom. I just worry about them gettin too warm in there, im gonna mount something above it to keep it cooler, and I'm mounting my radiant heat panel/temp regulator inside this weekend.
New outlet installed for power, heat pad and heat panel wired, along with the heat regulator. Steve and Rudy are adults now!!
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Where are you? I'm afraid that big door is going to let all your heat out on cold winter nights. You might have to get creative with some furni pads or blankets. Your thermometer will tell the tale.
Yeah ok Tom. I'm in Orange County CA and it is very hot lately. But before winter I will improve the door making it longer and a better seal. Hey Tom is the heat pad ever able to get too hot for their bottom side? It says it operates from 80-113 degrees. Right now I have it off because the radiant heat panel is working great in these warm nights, also...what should I set at my max temp for the heat regulator 24/7? 85? 90?
Hallbomber said:
I would just set the main thermostat for whatever temp you want. I like 75ish for summer and 85ish for winter.
I don't know about your pad, but Kane heat mats now come with an embedded safety thermostat that will shut it off no matter what at 104, I think it is. Might be 101. can't remember for sure, but either way its very safe. You might have to play around with your equipment a bit and watch the temps so you can make the proper adjustments. A remote probed thermometer that records the highs and lows is very helpful for this purpose.
On a 35 degree night, you don't want your heat mat shutting off too soon. It can get pretty warm between the tortoise and the mat, but it might still be cold in the box. This is where your RHP will help. They will get heat from top and bottom, and if the door is properly sealed, it should all warm the air inside too.
I hate to be a negative nelly, but you should really have a plan B. I don't think that dog house is going to do it. Fine for summer, but I don't think its going to be warm enough for leopards when we have our occasional winter cold spells and temps drop below freezing. Please be cautious is all I'm saying.
Copy that. Thanks.
Being outside in the winter now Tom, I just have to trust that once they are outside in the cold for long enough they will know to get back inside their heated home when its time right? Im new to them being outside and feel like a parent with their kids moving out for college. Haha
Being outside in the winter now Tom, I just have to trust that once they are outside in the cold for long enough they will know to get back inside their heated home when its time right? Im new to them being outside and feel like a parent with their kids moving out for college. Haha
Re: RE: Temp question
If I understood Tom correctly, he is suggesting that this dog house will be too cold/ not warm enough in the winter for the leopards on those really cold nights.
He isn't suggesting they won't know to go into the house when it's cold outside. Rather, even when they do go in there, the house itself won't be warm enough for what they need.
Tom, did I follow you correctly?
Btw, is this the house that was heating up to 110F during the day?
Sent from my TFOapp
Hallbomber said:
If I understood Tom correctly, he is suggesting that this dog house will be too cold/ not warm enough in the winter for the leopards on those really cold nights.
He isn't suggesting they won't know to go into the house when it's cold outside. Rather, even when they do go in there, the house itself won't be warm enough for what they need.
Tom, did I follow you correctly?
Btw, is this the house that was heating up to 110F during the day?
Sent from my TFOapp
Team Gomberg said:
Yep. Spot on.
Team Gomberg said:
Some of them will willingly go in and out of their warm houses and some won't. You'll have to keep an eye on it and do whatever needs to be done. I just moved 5 sulcatas outside this summer. 4 out of five go underground into the warm shelter on their own, and one just refuses to do it. Every night I have to go pop the top on the shelter and put his stubborn bottom down in the shelter. Pain in the rear, I tell ya'.
Haha ok gotcha. Well I hope that some inside insulation, a larger radiat heat panel, and a sealed door will help my dog house be sufficient for the winter.
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