Here Comes the Cold
- Thread starter Anthony P
- Start date
You're so right! It's been a good summer for Florida too. We've had more rain during the hot summers that none of my plants died of drought. It's been great for my sullies too. I do fear that it's gonna be a cold cold winter though. Please make sure that your torts are all safe and warm.
Same to you 
It's always a battle up here in CT, but even with a growing collection, I have developed some good strategies in my house that makes it all feasible during the cold winter. Things have been good.
I used to obsess over trying to move south, but since I began gearing my collection towards small, cold tolerant species, I don't yearn for that move south anymore.
It's always a battle up here in CT, but even with a growing collection, I have developed some good strategies in my house that makes it all feasible during the cold winter. Things have been good.
I used to obsess over trying to move south, but since I began gearing my collection towards small, cold tolerant species, I don't yearn for that move south anymore.
What are your strategies for cold months? Do tell!
I brought my Sulcata inside full time now. He was pissed off at first, now he's seemed to have adjusted well. He LOVES his sun lamp and heat pad. He refuses to move! I bring him breakfast in bed. For the others, I just turned up the ambient heat in the house. Gonna cost more, but worth it for their well-being.
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Sandy
Oregon-Washington Tortoise Rescue
Mo the Sulcata
Larry the Jordanian Greek
Curly the Eastern Hermanni
....baby Sulcata on the way!
Lola the Basenji
Dexter the Basenji
John the boyfriend stuck in Kansas...so I get more tortoises!
I brought my Sulcata inside full time now. He was pissed off at first, now he's seemed to have adjusted well. He LOVES his sun lamp and heat pad. He refuses to move! I bring him breakfast in bed. For the others, I just turned up the ambient heat in the house. Gonna cost more, but worth it for their well-being.
-------
Sandy
Oregon-Washington Tortoise Rescue
Mo the Sulcata
Larry the Jordanian Greek
Curly the Eastern Hermanni
....baby Sulcata on the way!
Lola the Basenji
Dexter the Basenji
John the boyfriend stuck in Kansas...so I get more tortoises!
I basically do the same. I add heat just a little from underneath. This species likes to dig down into the substrate, so the heat can be accessed if they need to get away from the chilled air in my basement.
This species needs to be misted periodically. I mist them much less during the winter as well. It is important during that time to monitor their weight and give them baths to ensure they do not become dehydrated.
This species needs to be misted periodically. I mist them much less during the winter as well. It is important during that time to monitor their weight and give them baths to ensure they do not become dehydrated.
Mo was not pleased when I moved him indoors for the winter. But after 1 weeks, he's adjusted well, loves to explore the house, and when his PowerSun is on, he refuses to budge. He will bask for HOURS!!!
He will come and see what I'm doing, go crawl into a dog bed for a hour, then wander back to his lamp and pass out. He's looked outside a few times, I open the door, he sees the cold rain and wanders back to the living room. On rare sunny days I toss him out back until it drops below 60°.
-------
Sandy
Oregon-Washington Tortoise Rescue
Mo the Sulcata
Larry the Jordanian Greek
Curly the Eastern Hermanni
....baby Sulcata on the way!
Lola the Basenji
Dexter the Basenji
John the boyfriend stuck in Kansas...so I get more tortoises!
He will come and see what I'm doing, go crawl into a dog bed for a hour, then wander back to his lamp and pass out. He's looked outside a few times, I open the door, he sees the cold rain and wanders back to the living room. On rare sunny days I toss him out back until it drops below 60°.
-------
Sandy
Oregon-Washington Tortoise Rescue
Mo the Sulcata
Larry the Jordanian Greek
Curly the Eastern Hermanni
....baby Sulcata on the way!
Lola the Basenji
Dexter the Basenji
John the boyfriend stuck in Kansas...so I get more tortoises!
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My spiders are also slowing down, even though I haven't intentionally changed temperature or daylight period. I think they know by instinct that winter is coming.
Since they seem to want to sleep constantly anyways, is it better to reduce temperatures and let them?
-Steve
Since they seem to want to sleep constantly anyways, is it better to reduce temperatures and let them?
-Steve
They really do know when it's time. The temp doesn't seem to matter any more than humidity. My thought is, they will sleep anyway, and the winter here in CT is long, so I try to delay their dormancy as long as I can. My temps are still pretty high, and I am still misting them just as much, but their activity level has already dropped.
Where do you live Steve?
The dry season in Madagascar does last for half the year, probably like the cold months here, but I like to have some of the dormant period on both ends with a bit of activity still, rather than just seeing them go to sleep all together. The cold, dry season there coincides with our summer, and our winter coincides with their warm monsoon season. Could be one of the many reasons why it was really tough to acclimate imports of this species in the past.
Where do you live Steve?
The dry season in Madagascar does last for half the year, probably like the cold months here, but I like to have some of the dormant period on both ends with a bit of activity still, rather than just seeing them go to sleep all together. The cold, dry season there coincides with our summer, and our winter coincides with their warm monsoon season. Could be one of the many reasons why it was really tough to acclimate imports of this species in the past.
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I am in southern CA, so although temps outside have started dropping, it's not enough that it has significantly affected their enclosure.
As I've only had them for about 8 months, I wasn't sure yet what to expect in terms of winter dormancy. They get weighed & measured regularly, and I started noticing reduced activity and growth rates around the beginning of September. They still eat a little when I wake & soak them, but return to sleep immediately.
Do you wake yours for soaking or feeding during the winter, and if so, how often?
-Steve
As I've only had them for about 8 months, I wasn't sure yet what to expect in terms of winter dormancy. They get weighed & measured regularly, and I started noticing reduced activity and growth rates around the beginning of September. They still eat a little when I wake & soak them, but return to sleep immediately.
Do you wake yours for soaking or feeding during the winter, and if so, how often?
-Steve
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Anthony .....awesome lil" spideys'..... I never knew you had those ? ...and yes ... here comes the cold ....almost done insulating the Cherry Hut ,but had to slap this up too for the plumie's ... as last year, new house , new location , Colder weather .... I had lost some plumie's due to the colder climate. Plumies are much like torts ...they don't like the cold! Thanks for sharing your spiders , I will be keeping my eye out for them .
JD~
.... I had lost some plumie's due to the colder climate. Plumies are much like torts ...they don't like the cold! Thanks for sharing your spiders , I will be keeping my eye out for them . JD~
Steve, I wake mine every 1 to 2 weeks during the winter. Sme will not eat at all even after a bath, but I am most interested in knowing that they aren't losing too much weight. I think hydration is the main concern.
Yes JD, I do have a group of Pyxis, and they are honestly my single greatest turtle love. I have gotten a few projects recently that are really exciting, but to me, it doesn't get any better than these guys. The awesome habitat, their small size, their rarity and the fact that they only lay one egg. Everything about them is amazing. The posterior edge of their plastron becomes soft in females just before egg laying. They may have the same nasal flap that allows Aldabras to drink through their nose. Their are just so many little nuances and intricacies with Spiders that you'd never know. So rewarding, and so beautiful.
Sorry for rambling :-/
Yes JD, I do have a group of Pyxis, and they are honestly my single greatest turtle love. I have gotten a few projects recently that are really exciting, but to me, it doesn't get any better than these guys. The awesome habitat, their small size, their rarity and the fact that they only lay one egg. Everything about them is amazing. The posterior edge of their plastron becomes soft in females just before egg laying. They may have the same nasal flap that allows Aldabras to drink through their nose. Their are just so many little nuances and intricacies with Spiders that you'd never know. So rewarding, and so beautiful.
Sorry for rambling :-/
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I need to see some more pics...
please
please
DevilsLettuce said:I need to see some more pics...
Fair enough. I will work on that for you.
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Anthony P said:DevilsLettuce said:I need to see some more pics...
Fair enough. I will work on that for you.
Ha thanks man, love this species...
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Oh no...buddy ramble all you want ...How I learn "true" facts and quite trivial too - " straight from the owners mouth"Anthony P said:
Love it .. thanks again
JD~
Pix, dang it....PIX!!!
Don't make me pull this thread over. [GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
Don't make me pull this thread over. [GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
Anthony P said:
I love your spider tortoise he's awesome
