Night box

[JenniferAnn]

I'm working on a night box for Woody for the dropping temps and started to wonder- for those in cooler temps, do you keep the tort locked in the nightbox all day or open the door and allow them to walk out if they want. Last winter she stayed inside but I'm sure there are some owners who have outside-only torts?

I haven't spent a winter here in Central TX yet, but I'm thinking it will get pretty cold- 40s-50s, with possibly 60s during the day.

 

[wellington]

I'm not in Texas but Chicago, Illinois. Mine stay inside all day and night until spring. However, if you do that, they need more then just a night box. Mine live in a heated shed.

 

[JenniferAnn]

Ok. Yea that would be ideal. I'm just renting now and don't have a garage as an option either.

 

[mike taylor]

I'm in the Houston area and my tortoises come and go as they please. As long as the sun is out they will come out .

 

[Jodie]

Leopard tortoise? I bring my leopards into an indoor enclosure for winter. I am in Spokane Valley WA though, and it is much colder. All of my leopards make bad decisions left with the option. Even in summer, I have to keep a close eye on them. My Sulcata on the other hand will go out for a little while, and return to his box to warm up.

 

[wellington]

Leopard tortoise? I bring my leopards into an indoor enclosure for winter. I am in Spokane Valley WA though, and it is much colder. All of my leopards make bad decisions left with the option. Even in summer, I have to keep a close eye on them. My Sulcata on the other hand will go out for a little while, and return to his box to warm up.

Do you find your leopards will stay out when it's a little chilly and hide, but not in the sun? During the summer, mine go in and out at appropriate times. Once weather gets chillier, I have one that will go out, just to hide in the shade and not go back in on his own.
So, to the OP, be sure yours goes in at night and gets locked up until the next morning.

 

[JenniferAnn]

I'm from the Houston area originally, but now in Temple. Since it's a couple hours north, I'm a little more concerned. Hopefully, this winter isn't bad, because I'll be moving down to Houston again in half a year. Thank you for the information- good to know when we finally settle there again.

 

[Jodie]

Do you find your leopards will stay out when it's a little chilly and hide, but not in the sun? During the summer, mine go in and out at appropriate times. Once weather gets chillier, I have one that will go out, just to hide in the shade and not go back in on his own.
So, to the OP, be sure yours goes in at night and gets locked up until the next morning.

My young male was a bit better about it this year. My smaller female was great last year, but this year almost never went back to the box in the evening. My large female will rarely leave the box on her own. All of them will go to a cool hide spot and snuggle in to freeze occasionally. I don't ever trust them. I always open the box when they are out. We check several times a day on cool days, and put anyone out back in.