My outdoor enclosure is still partly covered by snow but I have started to plan upgrades to my enclosure and I hope other members with experience in keeping torts outdoors in cool climates can help.
I live the the south of Norway, which should have a climate and receive a solar output similar to that of the high north in the United Kingdom.
I am attaching a pic of my outdoor enclosure from last summer.
Even when the sun is out during the summer, the (air) temps range from usually from 17C to 25C. As you can see from the pic, there is a coldframe (and my tort spends a lot of time in there).
Here are my thoughts:
1. I would like to increase the solar energy output on a part of my enclosure by using a mylar (aluminum) reflector (see pic for example)
I plan to shine the extra sunlight on about 1/3 of the enclosure (not including the coldframe area) so that the tort gets options and can choose where to be. Has anyone here attempted this?
2. The grass substrate is moist and probably keeps the temps cool due to evaporation. I would like to change the substrate to something that is easier to keep dry and ideally also feels "warm". I tried some large flat rocks/slabs last year and they felt very cold to the touch. Any ideas?
Finally attaching a pic of Helios self soaking and patiently waiting for warmer days
I live the the south of Norway, which should have a climate and receive a solar output similar to that of the high north in the United Kingdom.
I am attaching a pic of my outdoor enclosure from last summer.
Even when the sun is out during the summer, the (air) temps range from usually from 17C to 25C. As you can see from the pic, there is a coldframe (and my tort spends a lot of time in there).
Here are my thoughts:
1. I would like to increase the solar energy output on a part of my enclosure by using a mylar (aluminum) reflector (see pic for example)
I plan to shine the extra sunlight on about 1/3 of the enclosure (not including the coldframe area) so that the tort gets options and can choose where to be. Has anyone here attempted this?
2. The grass substrate is moist and probably keeps the temps cool due to evaporation. I would like to change the substrate to something that is easier to keep dry and ideally also feels "warm". I tried some large flat rocks/slabs last year and they felt very cold to the touch. Any ideas?
Finally attaching a pic of Helios self soaking and patiently waiting for warmer days