why basking spot 115 degrees?
- Thread starter onarock
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RE: Aloe vera
Kelly (stells) has some to share with you!
Nelson was not raised completely dry as I mist his carapace, but his hides have always been dry.
DeanS said:I'd like to see these smooth, dry tortoises! I can't recall one EVER being mentioned here.
Kelly (stells) has some to share with you!
Nelson was not raised completely dry as I mist his carapace, but his hides have always been dry.
Not that I want to argue, and I don't....but, providing an basking spot of 100+ degree in an indoor enclosure and providing a temperature gradient with proper humidities in hides etc is a wise decision and it makes common sense. This basking area provides the tort with a spot to raise it's body temperature so it effectively digest it's food and maintain it's immune system function to fight disease.
You got me scared Doc. It never gets above 95 where I live and actually 92 will make the news.. yes its that rare. I guess my tortoises arent properly digesting their food. I'm surprised they have lived this long. I am even more surprised that they lay as many eggs that they do as often as they do. What is the difference between outdoor and indoor heat? If its 80 outside and its 80 inside, I guess its actually 80 inside and 90 or 100 outside. I understand the whole temperature gradient thing, I still don't understand the benefits of 110 degrees. Common sense and experience has shown me that they are not active and out when it reaches those temps. I'm going to have to rethink this whole thing. Thanks Doc!
exoticsdr said:
Love the sarcasm in your post...ads flavor to the conversation.
Ok, let's experiment. Take a rock and place it on the counter in your home for 48 hours and then measure the temp on the surface of the rock with a laser thermometer. I would guess that the temp will be extremely close to your room temp...thus proving you're right...room temp is room temp.
Now, take that same rock and place it outside in the sun on a day that is 90 degrees out and do the same measurement, I bet the rock is no longer 90 degrees. Tortoises will bask in the sunlight in order to digest their food and will bask in order to "run a fever" to fight off diseasse and it doesn't matter whether the ambient temp is 75 or 95, the basking temperatures achieved in the sun are going to be much higher because the body absorbs and radiates the heat back into the environment....so don't be scared.
Ok, let's experiment. Take a rock and place it on the counter in your home for 48 hours and then measure the temp on the surface of the rock with a laser thermometer. I would guess that the temp will be extremely close to your room temp...thus proving you're right...room temp is room temp.
Now, take that same rock and place it outside in the sun on a day that is 90 degrees out and do the same measurement, I bet the rock is no longer 90 degrees. Tortoises will bask in the sunlight in order to digest their food and will bask in order to "run a fever" to fight off diseasse and it doesn't matter whether the ambient temp is 75 or 95, the basking temperatures achieved in the sun are going to be much higher because the body absorbs and radiates the heat back into the environment....so don't be scared.
My 2 cents: just because a basking spot is 110+ degrees (for example) doesn't mean that the tortoise will remain in the spot until he/she reaches a temperature of 110+ degrees. By offering an artificially created gradient, and attempting to provide adequate space, aren't we allowing the tort to self regulate body temperature? By doing this with an MVB we also provide UV. We offset drying with misting and soaking.
Let's say my tort self soaks in her dish for a few minutes. I'm assuming her body temperature drops a bit. She often then goes and basks for a few minutes bringing her temps back up to a level at which she feels comfortable. All the way to 110? No, but high enough that she feels comfortable. Then she goes off to one of her usual spots, which tend to be in the 80degree area of her gradient.
Onarock, it doesn't get up over 95 degrees in your area, but I assume it doesn't go down to 35 degrees either. Are you just posting this to make us northerners jealous that you live in Hawaii?? If so, point taken.
Let's say my tort self soaks in her dish for a few minutes. I'm assuming her body temperature drops a bit. She often then goes and basks for a few minutes bringing her temps back up to a level at which she feels comfortable. All the way to 110? No, but high enough that she feels comfortable. Then she goes off to one of her usual spots, which tend to be in the 80degree area of her gradient.
Onarock, it doesn't get up over 95 degrees in your area, but I assume it doesn't go down to 35 degrees either. Are you just posting this to make us northerners jealous that you live in Hawaii?? If so, point taken.
squamata said:
OK, Squamata....what's your point?
CtTortoise said:My 2 cents: just because a basking spot is 110+ degrees (for example) doesn't mean that the tortoise will remain in the spot until he/she reaches a temperature of 110+ degrees. By offering an artificially created gradient, and attempting to provide adequate space, aren't we allowing the tort to self regulate body temperature? By doing this with an MVB we also provide UV. We offset drying with misting and soaking.
Let's say my tort self soaks in her dish for a few minutes. I'm assuming her body temperature drops a bit. She often then goes and basks for a few minutes bringing her temps back up to a level at which she feels comfortable. All the way to 110? No, but high enough that she feels comfortable. Then she goes off to one of her usual spots, which tend to be in the 80degree area of her gradient.
Onarock, it doesn't get up over 95 degrees in your area, but I assume it doesn't go down to 35 degrees either. Are you just posting this to make us northerners jealous that you live in Hawaii?? If so, point taken.
you don't need 120 degree air temp too raise body temp too 90
Exactly Doc. People have shown that a tortoise basking in the sun when the ambient temp is 85 outside that the tortoise shell reads 100. So, I still ask, what is the benefit of 110 degrees? Is it necessary or overkill. I say that, based on your statemnet and what I have witnessed keeping tortoises outside year round and what others have studied in the wild that 110 degree basking is not necessary not even close. I also think that those who provide extremely hot and un-natural basking spots need to combat the ill effects of such by cranking up the humidity and need to constantly mist/spray and soak. What say you Doc. BTW thanks for the intelligent responce, finally someone with an original thought.
exoticsdr said:
my point is that you don't need too provide 1120 degree heat the mvb is radiant heat like the sun in a way if it is 90 below the light the tort can absorb the heat and be 90 too.of course you have too hydrate at 120 you are cooking them by the way doc nice too see yaexoticsdr said:
I have not heard anyone claim that the ambient air temp had to be raised to 120 degrees in the torts enclosure, what has been clearly said is that a basking area of 100+ degrees needs to be provided, meaning that an area needs to be provided where the tortoise can raise it's body temp up to 100+ degrees if it chooses to.
Another thought to consider: for a new tortoise owner, is it better to ere on the side of caution and provide too high temps that the tort can avoid, or provide too low temps which might leave the tort wanting heat?
CtTortoise said:
Wisely spoken
squamata said:
That would indeed be dangerous!
Ct, my point in all of this has to do with accute damaging heat and the need to constantly soak, spray and raise the humidity to offset potential damage. Tortoises don't go out in it so why provide it. The electric company loves it. Just think about it, is all I'm asking.
Oh, you can live wherever you want.
Oh, you can live wherever you want.
CtTortoise said:My 2 cents: just because a basking spot is 110+ degrees (for example) doesn't mean that the tortoise will remain in the spot until he/she reaches a temperature of 110+ degrees. By offering an artificially created gradient, and attempting to provide adequate space, aren't we allowing the tort to self regulate body temperature? By doing this with an MVB we also provide UV. We offset drying with misting and soaking.
Let's say my tort self soaks in her dish for a few minutes. I'm assuming her body temperature drops a bit. She often then goes and basks for a few minutes bringing her temps back up to a level at which she feels comfortable. All the way to 110? No, but high enough that she feels comfortable. Then she goes off to one of her usual spots, which tend to be in the 80degree area of her gradient.
Onarock, it doesn't get up over 95 degrees in your area, but I assume it doesn't go down to 35 degrees either. Are you just posting this to make us northerners jealous that you live in Hawaii?? If so, point taken.
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