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Suey

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Mar 1, 2020
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Location (City and/or State)
England
I live in the midlands in the UK and have two horsfield tortoises. My female is 6yr old that I’ve had for two yrs and Charlie my male is 5yr old I’ve had from a baby. Charlie was I’ll for quite a while when I first got him and it took a lot of care, patience and money to get him fit and well. I had to nebulise him and inject , but he’s fully recovered now. Last year I had an insulated shed made with heating, then they began to fight so had to divide inside and outside space . My question is why in this nice weather do they come outside till dinner time then go back in again, especially my female. Has anyone else had this problem?
 

LaLaP

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Jun 25, 2018
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959
Location (City and/or State)
Portland, OR
Hi! Welcome to the forum. I have two Horsfield’s too. Mine are boys and separated. It’s great that you recognized their need for separate spaces.
So about your question, do you mean they go inside without eating their dinner? Maybe I didn’t understand. My torts put themselves to bed very early most days. Usually 5 or 6pm.
 

Suey

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Mar 1, 2020
Messages
156
Location (City and/or State)
England
Hi! Welcome to the forum. I have two Horsfield’s too. Mine are boys and separated. It’s great that you recognized their need for separate spaces.
So about your question, do you mean they go inside without eating their dinner? Maybe I didn’t understand. My torts put themselves to bed very early most days. Usually 5 or 6pm.
Hi thanks for reply, sorry wasn’t very clear ( first time ) yes they’re eager to come out about 10’oclock, stay and eat. The female would go back I straight away but I closed the door to make her get some sun. She kept scratching at the door so lifted the hatch up and in she went. Charlie however stuck it till about 12 then he also went in. I’m wondering if it’s because I’d switched their lights off and they weren’t as warm as I thought it would be inside and they became inactive. Might try leaving lights on longer maybe
 

Suey

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Mar 1, 2020
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156
Location (City and/or State)
England
Lalap just wondering do you keep your tortoises outside, if so do you keep heat bulbs on all day so they can go in if they want to. I put their food outside to encourage them to go outside because I don’t think Alice would go out at all if her food was inside.
 

Dvlpkc

New Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2020
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1
Location (City and/or State)
Tucson
I livein southern AZ so my sulcatas have access to out and inside. Their house is heated in winter since they do not hibernate in winter like my desert tortoises. We have house for them with a semi truck mud flat as a doggy door so they csn come out if its a beautiful 70 degree day in december if they like. They stay inside if too cold. Had to remove desert tortoise from their enclosure when one of sulcatas cracked shell of little one while climbing over one day. So big now they eat horse food. They eat year round if warm enough to digest food which i am blessed that they are most of time where we live. They need warmth in winter if in cold climate.
 

LaLaP

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2018
Messages
959
Location (City and/or State)
Portland, OR
Lalap just wondering do you keep your tortoises outside, if so do you keep heat bulbs on all day so they can go in if they want to. I put their food outside to encourage them to go outside because I don’t think Alice would go out at all if her food was inside.
I live in the Pacific Northwest of the states so I imagine our climate is similar. I don't have an outdoor heated shed so I keep my boys inside whenever it's cloudy, rainy and cool. If I had your setup I'd definitely keep the basking lights on to give them the option during the spring. They need to be able to get their body temps up to 30 degrees celcius in order to digest food. I'd let them go inside and warm up if they want to.
 

Suey

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Mar 1, 2020
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Location (City and/or State)
England
I live in the Pacific Northwest of the states so I imagine our climate is similar. I don't have an outdoor heated shed so I keep my boys inside whenever it's cloudy, rainy and cool. If I had your setup I'd definitely keep the basking lights on to give them the option during the spring. They need to be able to get their body temps up to 30 degrees celcius in order to digest food. I'd let them go inside and warm up if they want to.
Thank you, will try that tomorrow. We have had beautiful weather this week but I suppose it is only March and there is still a bit of a nip in the air when the sun goes in.
 

Suey

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Mar 1, 2020
Messages
156
Location (City and/or State)
England
Hi again, I have been trying to load a photo on my profile but not had any luck yet, would someone give me any advice please , thanks Suey
 
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