Warming the soil- thoughts?

[Madkins007]

We are having a cold/freezing snap here in Omaha, and the house is running a bit cooler than I would like. The air temps are holding nicely, but the soil is 'clammier' than I want.

I am thinking about using waterproof heating pads, mats, tapes, or cables under the soil to warm at least some of the space to about 80ish, and use a thermostat to control it.

Does anyone have any practical experience with this stuff in the soil, brand or store recommendations, pointers, warnings, etc.?

 

[Laura]

do you have a heat lamp from above?

 

[Madkins007]

I have a warm room, and heating from above, but the heat from above is not adequate to heat the roughly 100 lbs of soil mix in the 4'x10' habitat. My infra-red thermometer is showing 75F overall, with about 90 in the hot spot, but it is only 65 just under the surface.

By warming the soil, I think I can reduce some other heating expenses and get a lot of other benefits.

 

[Kadaan]

As long as the tort can't get into direct contact with the heating element, I don't think it would be a problem. But then again, 65 degrees under the surface shouldn't be a problem either.

 

[katesgoey]

I know you're talking Redfoots, but just for some other ideas of heating in colder climates, checkout Steve Spitzer's ideas for his leopards at http://africantortoise.com/leopard_tortoise_care_in_the_north.htm.