So, temps in my neck of the woods have been 110 or higher for 15 consecutive days, and this streak doesn’t look like it will end for at least another six days. Highest temps are forecast to be 118 tomorrow and Sunday. Lows have been in the high 80s-low 90s. It’s miserable. My sully, Leo, has been sheltering deep within our 20+ year old rosemary plant - nice shade, but still makes me nervous. I bought a portable mister that is pointed over/into the rosemary and have it on a timer to be on from 1-5pm. It’s been great; I can see that the moisture drips down into the area he’s hiding, and when he comes out in the late afternoon he’s a little muddy but ready to patrol and eat… he doesn’t come out every single day but he’ll shift a little in the plant when I go outside to check on him so I at least know he’s alive.
I wish I could soak him properly more than just once or twice a week, but knowing that he has enough moisture and puddles inside the rosemary during this brutal heat gives me peace of mind. And when he emerges, he’s pretty ravenous - eats the grass and whatever weeds he can find, some hay, and as much spineless opuntia as I can source. Romaine, radicchio, and some spring mix are also on the menu a couple times a week.
Has anyone else experimented with using misters as a cooling technique? He started a burrow at the very end of last summer, but he hasn’t started one yet this year and I’m deathly afraid of him getting heatstroke. I’ve ordered a splashpad for him that has shallow sides, and I’ll be hooking it up as soon as I get a new hose. I think he’ll like it, but we’ll see how well it holds up against tortoise toenails, LOL.
Stay cool and safe, everyone!
I wish I could soak him properly more than just once or twice a week, but knowing that he has enough moisture and puddles inside the rosemary during this brutal heat gives me peace of mind. And when he emerges, he’s pretty ravenous - eats the grass and whatever weeds he can find, some hay, and as much spineless opuntia as I can source. Romaine, radicchio, and some spring mix are also on the menu a couple times a week.
Has anyone else experimented with using misters as a cooling technique? He started a burrow at the very end of last summer, but he hasn’t started one yet this year and I’m deathly afraid of him getting heatstroke. I’ve ordered a splashpad for him that has shallow sides, and I’ll be hooking it up as soon as I get a new hose. I think he’ll like it, but we’ll see how well it holds up against tortoise toenails, LOL.
Stay cool and safe, everyone!