Heat outdoors... do you?

[Tina]

Following on from the discussion in another thread I wondered how many Med species keepers do actually provide additional heating for their torts outdoors?

I'd be really interested to hear how many do and how many don't and your reasons.

[FreakOonique]

Thanks for this Tina

I am trying to work out whats the best way to have Harry outside

[annsimpson1]

I have a heated shed for my 4 torts 2xhermans and 2xTGI's obviously the heats on now but in the summer its only used on wet or cold days, their access doors are always open through the day whatever the weather, I'd rather have them have the space if they want than bringing them inside to smaller quarters.

[Andy_WSM]

I provide heat in their indoor part of the outside enclosure (if that makes sense?!) and also a heat lamp outdoors too, 'cause I don't want my little babies getting cold if there is a sudden change in weather, which happens all to often near the coast here.

[FreakOonique]

What about cables though if there is bad weather?

[helenhearn]

Hi
Mine have a greenhouse to use they can come and go, on the odd evening if temps drop I may use the heating, they are not outside fully till April if they wake up earlier they go in the shed for a few weeks with lights and heating this is for fully grown adults
So my answer would be yes/no
For younger Torts I would have a heat source in their outdoor enclosure so they could have a good warm up in the mornings or have on low through the night if it got too cold, once the weather warms up though they should be alright it all depends on the weather
Helen

[terrypin]

hi my adult breeding groups have permanent access to their seperate greenhouses when they arent in hibernation and these have heatlamps to encourage nesting .i use these lamps early and late season for a morning warm up when needed.my youngsters have no outdoor heating but sleep in the cellar with a minimum overnight of about 18c.
terry

[FreakOonique]

Ok so would it be an idea to do the following:

In Harrys sleeping quarters have the heat lamp come on at say 7am and go off about half 9ish, so he's warmed up nicely (put it on a timer)

So once he's warmed up he will then venture out into his open area and bask outside?

I just wana get his right for my wee man xx

[helenhearn]

Hi Tamz
It all depends on the weather no set answers really
like you I had a tort that was in a viv 10yrs,when I first had her we had a megaray in a kennel for her and she never came out so we changed that for a ceramic heater if it dropped say below 16 it came on and went off when it warmed up i think I had it set at about 22 so in Harry's case maybe some heat at night if temp drop and on for a few hours in the morning to get him going
hope this is not to confusing
Helen

[FreakOonique]

Im confused lol

I was only gonna use a ceramic bulb as opposed to a megaray, because indoors Harry will move from his dark quarters to where it is light... So I was thinking it would encourage him to leave his outside sleeping quarters and go sit in the sunshine

Hmmmmm looks like more research is required lol