Winter is Coming

[klawran1]

Hello there. This is the first time since I got my leopard that she has gotten to be outdoors full time. WOO! Neight of us could be happier about that. That being said, this is also the first time I have had to worry about temperatures outside in order to care for her. I live in GA up above Atlanta so it doesn't get too terribly cold here, but I am planning on setting her back up inside for the winter months just so I know for a fact she's not too cold. My question is, at what temperature does she need to start coming inside? I know tonight it's only going down to 67 degrees so she will be fine, but at what point does she need to be brought in? She's almost 10 years old. Thanks in advance!

 

[wellington]

If I were you, I would build her a nice big dog house, insulated and heated with a door that is lockable. Then on your nice warmer days, she could go outside and go back in when she needs to warm up. I'm in Chicago and mine are out every day with a heated shed to go into when ever they want. As long as the sun is out and the temps aren't lower then 70 during the day, mine will get out. Mine are 5-6 years. Hatchlings and upto 2-3 years I would not let them out under 75-78 and only if sun was out.

 

[klawran1]

I wanted to build her something outside where she could go in and out as she please, but with this being a first time for me having her outside. I worry that something will go wrong and I'll kill her after keeping her safe the past 10 years. Power outage, poor building/insulation skills, etc.

 

[wellington]

Well, I do understand your concern. It is less worrisome when they are living in your same space. I wouldn't let her stay out at night without some heat now. If it's like my area now, it gets cooler and damp at night after the hot day. During the day, I wouldn't keep her out below 70 unless she can warm up some place. Even if you made her a day time warm box that heats up to 80-85 it will extend her days outside and bring her in at night.

 

[wellington]

Oh, and when your ready to build her a perminent outside heated shed, there are things you can use to keep an eye on her and the temps from within your house. I have a couple cameras and a thermometer with a wirless sensor, so I always know what the temp is in their shed and I don't have to leave my house to check it.

 

[Jodie]

Day and night I make sure my leopards have someplace that is at least 80F. Build a night box for her. I would say 67F is too cold over night. Especially if it is humid.

 

[klawran1]

Do any of you have a set of plans for a night box or a small shed I could look at to attempt? Or just pictures of yours I could get an idea about? If I could keep her outside all year round it would be amazing. I don't mind bringing her in, but I know she hates it. I have cameras on my house so it wouldn't be difficult at all to add one where I can see inside her shed just to keep an eye out on her. I just want to do right by her. We bought our house in May and she's been outside ever since.

 

[Dizisdalife]

Tom has built several night boxes, and has been the inspiration for hundreds, that really work well for leopards and sulcata. Here is a link to a thread that gives great instructions on how to build one.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

 

[klawran1]

Tom has built several night boxes, and has been the inspiration for hundreds, that really work well for leopards and sulcata. Here is a link to a thread that gives great instructions on how to build one.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

Thanks! I loved his Russian underground box. I will be doing that also. I appreciate the link.

 

[klawran1]

So I've started my night box. I have an insulation question. I wanted the 4X8 pieces but I literally have no way to get them home. Are either of those pictures below a hood option?

 

[Jodie]

Either would work. If you use the loose batted stuff, make sure it is formaldehyde free. The styrofoam has less chemicals, and is easier to work with, but lower insulation value.

 

[klawran1]

Either would work. If you use the loose batted stuff, make sure it is formaldehyde free. The styrofoam has less chemicals, and is easier to work with, but lower insulation value.

Thank you very much. Getting my plywood now. I'm assuming I need pressure treated, but sitting on the ground is going to make it rot. Suggestions on plywood type?

 

[Tom]

I use regular plywood and I prime and paint the outside. I don't treat the inside and I would not use pressure treated wood inside the box. I use pressure treated 2x4s as runners underneath to keep the box off of the ground. Here are some more examples for inspiration:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/search/8990135/?q=another+effective+night+box&t=post&o=relevance
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/double-door-night-box.129054/

 

[klawran1]

Thanks! I got pressure treated for the outside and just regular plywood for the inside. I'll do some runners on the bottom. I was planning to treat and paint the outside.

 

[klawran1]

Either would work. If you use the loose batted stuff, make sure it is formaldehyde free. The styrofoam has less chemicals, and is easier to work with, but lower insulation value.

No joke on the pink stuff being hard to work with. Goodness..... It's going in nicely, but having to cut it isn't my idea of a fun time.

 

[klawran1]

I use regular plywood and I prime and paint the outside. I don't treat the inside and I would not use pressure treated wood inside the box. I use pressure treated 2x4s as runners underneath to keep the box off of the ground. Here are some more examples for inspiration:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/search/8990135/?q=another+effective+night+box&t=post&o=relevance
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/double-door-night-box.129054/

Out of curiosity, why don't you use pressure treated on the inside? I have a ton of it on hand, but I'm taking your advice and not doing it. Just wondering as to why. Love your night box threads, by the way. SO much help and inspiration.

 

[Tom]

Out of curiosity, why don't you use pressure treated on the inside?

I worry about toxicity in a warm, damp, closed environment. Plus, its just not needed.

 

[klawran1]

Lovely. I'd rather not poison her. Just knew I had a lot of it but I'll buy more non-treated to keep her safe. Thanks.

 

[klawran1]

Another question. If I lock her in her box at night, how does she get air? Ideally I'll have everything weather stripped and siliconed. Won't she suffocate or something?

 

[saginawhxc]

I use regular plywood and I prime and paint the outside. I don't treat the inside and I would not use pressure treated wood inside the box. I use pressure treated 2x4s as runners underneath to keep the box off of the ground. Here are some more examples for inspiration:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/search/8990135/?q=another+effective+night+box&t=post&o=relevance
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/double-door-night-box.129054/

Mine is only partly built, but this is exactly what I did. Pressure treated for runners only.