- Joined
- Jul 14, 2010
- Messages
- 60
Alrrrrighhhttty as most of yall know, a tortoise keeper's favorite time of the year is upon us.....WINTER
I got a pair of sulcatas which will potentially become a trio in the near future that are all three approximately 75 pounds. This past weekend I finally got around to building them an outdoor enclosure. The enclosure is 8'Lx4'Wx2'T double plywood insulated walls, 30" doorway with double carpet flap. I will post pics so yall can see here in a bit.
My question is this, I would really like to keep these guys out ALL winter long. I am in East Texas and even down here we get a handful of below freezing nights. Is this doable and will these guys be smart enough to STAY in there or am I suposed to block the doorway when it freezes? Id like to keep the door open simply because the female likes to decide to lay eggs into December.
What is the best heating source for this application. I see pig blanket proponents say that they can burn the bottom of the tortoise while I also here from ceramic heater proponents that you can burn the tops of tortoises. I like the Stanfield® Heat Pad and/or heat panel idea better simply because of electricity consumption. Also, what size blanket/blankets do I need? Are the tortoises supposed to "lay" on them or will these blankets heat up the entire enclosure.
All recommendations welcome. Money is not in particular a big issue. Want something good quality and RELIABLE.
Thanks.
I got a pair of sulcatas which will potentially become a trio in the near future that are all three approximately 75 pounds. This past weekend I finally got around to building them an outdoor enclosure. The enclosure is 8'Lx4'Wx2'T double plywood insulated walls, 30" doorway with double carpet flap. I will post pics so yall can see here in a bit.
My question is this, I would really like to keep these guys out ALL winter long. I am in East Texas and even down here we get a handful of below freezing nights. Is this doable and will these guys be smart enough to STAY in there or am I suposed to block the doorway when it freezes? Id like to keep the door open simply because the female likes to decide to lay eggs into December.
What is the best heating source for this application. I see pig blanket proponents say that they can burn the bottom of the tortoise while I also here from ceramic heater proponents that you can burn the tops of tortoises. I like the Stanfield® Heat Pad and/or heat panel idea better simply because of electricity consumption. Also, what size blanket/blankets do I need? Are the tortoises supposed to "lay" on them or will these blankets heat up the entire enclosure.
All recommendations welcome. Money is not in particular a big issue. Want something good quality and RELIABLE.
Thanks.