Cherry Head Tortoise outside enclosure

[TortsNTurtles]

Hi I am purchasing a juvenile cherry head about 15 months and 4". I live in the PA in the colder northeast.Spring is coming and I have outside enclosures for my Russian tortoise and box turtles. I have never owned a tropical species and I am aware they need to be warm but was wondering what temperatures are they able to be in outside enclosures. Do I wait for the hot summers or can they come out in the spring with certain temperatures? Thanks

 

[Tom]

Hi I am purchasing a juvenile cherry head about 15 months and 4". I live in the PA in the colder northeast.Spring is coming and I have outside enclosures for my Russian tortoise and box turtles. I have never owned a tropical species and I am aware they need to be warm but was wondering what temperatures are they able to be in outside enclosures. Do I wait for the hot summers or can they come out in the spring with certain temperatures? Thanks

Mid to high 70s and sunny should work. But also consider ground temps, and evaporative cooling like after a rain. There are several factors to consider in addition to the air temp. Its good to have an infrared temp gun to check the ground temps and the tortoise's carapace temp. You can also watch the tortoise's behavior. If he's out and active, then its probably good. If the tortoise goes and parks under a bush and goes to sleep, it might be too cool, and he'd be better off inside in its heated enclosure.

 

[TortsNTurtles]

Thank you!

Mid to high 70s and sunny should work. But also consider ground temps, and evaporative cooling like after a rain. There are several factors to consider in addition to the air temp. Its good to have an infrared temp gun to check the ground temps and the tortoise's carapace temp. You can also watch the tortoise's behavior. If he's out and active, then its probably good. If the tortoise goes and parks under a bush and goes to sleep, it might be too cool, and he'd be better off inside in its heated enclosure.