Temps

[JakeDevoe]

The cool side: 73*f


The hot side: 85*f

Are these good?

 

[Redfoot NERD]

In the 12+ years keeping and breeding redfoot tortoises.. I've not had a 'cool' side / 'hot' side - and since they spend most of their time in the shade anyway - simply temps basically the same thru-out : mid to upper 80'sF.

 

[JakeDevoe]

Ok thanks!

 

[Rue]

Doesn't that counter the 4 temps advice?

Is this in an enclosure?

 

[jockma]

I do 4 temps for mine simply because he's weird and doesn't hang out much in the shade. He likes to bask and roam around so the 4 temps come in handy. However most RFs do just sit in the shade all day and some never bask at all, so 4 temps aren't necessary in their case.

 

[jkendo1]

I've only had mine for about a month and keep Speedy outdoors since it is temperate here. It was 100 degrees yesterday and I thought tortoises love the sun and heat...wrong... he went to the shade and tends to stay there when I let him out of his pen.

 

[lisa127]

My enclosure ranges from upper 70s to lower 90s.....24/7.

 

[Onidara]

I have 18 red foots and they all love basking. I had to install 3 more basking areas just because they would push eachother to get under a light.

 

[jkendo1]

I have learned a lot in a month of having a red foot. The main realization is that I need to mimic the environment they are used to. I am in San Jose, am keeping him outside and the weather at this time is from 50 degrees low to 100 degrees in daytime so my "Speedy" needs warmth, heat and shade, right? At this point, I have decided to bring him in at night and provide a heat lamp to regulate the temps indoors. But if I do that and the outdoors is 50 degrees in the morning, none of this is good, so then I need to Keep him indoors til it is 70 degrees? I cant do that because of work so otherwise, I can create a heated greenhouse or home that he can go in and out of outdoors. Does this sound about right? I will need to get power outdoors. For the past month he has been outdoors at night so this is not good, right? Need your help so I dont hurt the little guy so any help is appreciated.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

My come out in the morning and retreat once the sun comes out and then back out around 5:30 - 6 pm.
Occasionally taking a swim in between. Occasionally seen lurking in the bushes or peeking out of a hide.
I've never seen mine bask..But south Florida is very hot and humid.

 

[jkendo1]

I gotta get that temp taken care of because, at 50-60 degrees, apparently it's too cold. I have ordered heat CHE for evening so that will buy me time til I make something for winter temps. Do we have good example pics of outdoor and indoor habitats on this site with heating in and out?

 

[Pearly]

I've had my babies for a full year now and my understanding is that anything below 80F is TOO COLD for them. I think adults can survive lower temps for a while but will not thrive. My babies have been kept at 81-86F and 85-90% humidity. I'll start letting them out for few hrs (outdoor enclosure) during a day but not planning to keep them outdoors 24/7 till they reach full adult size. Even then they will have a heated night box to stay warm. Plus I'm in Texas so keeping the tropical species warm outside is not that big of a deal. For me the big challange was keeping them warm and humid enough indoors with a/c going. Anyway, just think: 80F as your magic number and 85ish for good food digestion

 

[JHat]

Mine tends to stay in the shade(mid 90s in the sun to mid 80s in the shade). You know unless the basking rock looks delicious for whatever reason, then he'll run out there and try to bite it..