Originally Posted by den_bish

Hi and thanks for all of the advice - I also have spoken to the owner of a reptile supply place (and I know he was being honest as didn't try to sell me the most expensive thing!) and as other have said he recommended a small 7w heat mat on the roof of the house overnight, said it would only raise temps between 4-8 degrees depending on how close the aspen bedding was which is perfect as will raise temps to between 14 - 18C as was only 13 quid and I will attach it to my old thermostat - so all in all not as expensive as I thought it was going to be !!

Originally Posted by wizzasmum

Mine don't, they are up and about each morning so long as the lights come on. Temps drop this low in the Med too at either end of season.

Originally Posted by Tortoise Trust

I actually agree with Kevin on this. Heat mats and heat cables are not the best way to do this.

I have always just used a 'Pearlco' overhead ceramic heater run from a pulse-proportional thermostat if overnight heat is required (e.g., for my Egyptian tortoises). It works, it safe, is controllable, is highly reliable, and provides the right kind (and directionality) of heat. These things may cost a few pounds, but they seem to last for ever. I have some 15+ years old, still going strong.

Andy Highfield
www.tortoisetrust.org