ChucktownTort
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2016
- Messages
- 18
I realize there is a ton about indoor enclosures, and so please don't think I am deliberately being lazy.
I live in the southeastern US (coastal SC) and my 3.5 year old leopard tortoise spends the summer in a secured outside enclosure (maybe 3x6') and gets to go to a movable enclosure in the front yard with grass and weeds. He seems pretty happy. In the last month I have been bringing him in at night as the temps dip into the 50s, which is a ~3'x2' cement mixing tub with walls, and a light. He hates the nights.
BUT now we are about to get our first real cool down which means he will need to be inside during the day. Last winter his home was the 3x2 enclosure which was way too small, but I don't know how much more space I can give him indoors (just saw the two baby pool idea which was awesome). Also, I really need to include a top to give him something warm and humid at least at night when the light is off and the house cools off (a ceramic bulb heater without a top is nearly worthless). Lastly, I don't want to put too much effort into a winter enclosure since he will be back outside pretty early in the spring.
So, what sort of suggestions do you guys have? What sort of temps can a small 3.5 year old leopard tolerate? I could make him something outside with a house, which would be optimum since there is more space and I have a decent southern facing patch of grass, but am not sure if he could tolerate it.
Thank you so much for your help.
http://imgur.com/zw6GKd3
I live in the southeastern US (coastal SC) and my 3.5 year old leopard tortoise spends the summer in a secured outside enclosure (maybe 3x6') and gets to go to a movable enclosure in the front yard with grass and weeds. He seems pretty happy. In the last month I have been bringing him in at night as the temps dip into the 50s, which is a ~3'x2' cement mixing tub with walls, and a light. He hates the nights.
BUT now we are about to get our first real cool down which means he will need to be inside during the day. Last winter his home was the 3x2 enclosure which was way too small, but I don't know how much more space I can give him indoors (just saw the two baby pool idea which was awesome). Also, I really need to include a top to give him something warm and humid at least at night when the light is off and the house cools off (a ceramic bulb heater without a top is nearly worthless). Lastly, I don't want to put too much effort into a winter enclosure since he will be back outside pretty early in the spring.
So, what sort of suggestions do you guys have? What sort of temps can a small 3.5 year old leopard tolerate? I could make him something outside with a house, which would be optimum since there is more space and I have a decent southern facing patch of grass, but am not sure if he could tolerate it.
Thank you so much for your help.
http://imgur.com/zw6GKd3