Leave him OUTSIDE?
 

Hey guys!
Quick question from an old Tort owner -
I’ve had a family Tort for years, he’s lives between my Mum and I for a long time.
He’s come back to me for the summer (after staying a couple of years with my Mum)
I have a really big garden, and I used to leave him out all the time...
But being with Mum for a couple years. He’s a lot more used to indoors. (And he’s gotten fatter and lazier hehe)
I’m out for work today until quite late. Say about 11-12pm.
I used to leave him in his Run in the garden. But I don’t think he’s used to this temp / lifestyle anymore....
It’s only his first day back.
Do you think I can leave him in his Run in the garden?
(Until so late)
Or is that silly? And should I leave him indoors?
Seems crazy on such a hot day -
But I’m nervous as he’s used to a different lifestyle now...
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts

WOLVIE

If his pen is secure and he has food water and a shelter then leave him out all day and night he will soon get used to it and as it's so hot now and going to get hotter it's a good time to do it.

I agree with Gordon, he will soon adjust to being outside again, and its far better for him to be outside.
If he has got fat and lazy:0) then a few days natural grazing (without any extra food given to him) will do him the world of good:0)
Tortoises like us just dont like change, but we all have to get on with it:0)
Also make sure he has a box or the like to go into when the temps drop:0)

Outside is the place for the Mediterranean species in even half-decent weather. Some kind of coldframe or greenhouse is a great help.

If the weather we are promised happens, it's a sin for any Med tortoise to be indoors!

Thanks guys!
I know it’s a silly question - But it helps that you guys confirm.
My only concern is the evening / night time...
His pen is super secure so that’s not a worry.
I’ve yet to contruct him a ‘box’ or the like -
But he’s got a sexy little ‘Cove-Arch-Tunnel’ which should be good for this weather!
Thanks again guys

My tortoises when outside in their enclosure, will when the light levels drop. Head for any thing they can hide under or dig under. Mine dig under my Yucca, or any curved roof tiles they can find. I do put several tiles around so they can choose. As its generally where ever the last rays of sun have been:0)

No question is silly, only the one not asked:0)

Agree with everyone, he’s definitely enter off outside, specially now the weather is so hot, he will soon adjust . And he will be fine left out all night, so long as he’s got a solid water tight box.

Mine have lots of choices and Bertie still prefers to go under a towel most of the time at night. He digs down a little in the soil.

Yes outside is TLC for Tortoises, photo always welcome , love seeing different set ups and Tortoise photos,

CB

Hi all,
I moved my 6 year old horsefield outside for the first time in his life in early July (I didn't have a suitable outdoor area before) and he took a while to acclimatize to the change of scenery and temps. He is still not quite as active as he used to be when he was indoors, but I think that may primarily be due to the overnight temps dropping outside, in comparison to the stable temps he has always been used to indoors. He seems happy as larry wandering around in the sun though so glad I moved him out (especially during this summer we've had!).
Out of interest, does anyone use any form of heating for their outdoor torts overnight?

Hi Greg

I've used a ceramic heat emitter inside a coldframe but this did tend to use quite a lot of electricity. I think a lot of the heat was lost to the outside.

Gordon, one of our most experienced members, keeps some his tortoises in a large wooden box heated by a tubular heater on a thermostat at night. I haven't got round to it but I'm going to make one of these for mine.

Tubular heaters are cheap to buy and run. They take the edge off the cold.

I keep hermanns and not horsfields but I think we all find the same this time of year. Lower temperature, shorter daylength and even the position of the sun in the sky are picked up by the tortoise and they all point to the same thing.

That's good getting your tort outside, all Med species thrive with access to outside.

I do use a tube heater and it does a good job but it's a big one in a big insulated box.
For one tort you can do the same thing on a smaller scale and you could use either a small tube heater or a ceramic heat emitting bulb .
There is another heat bulb/emitter that I think Jonathan has purchased but not said if it's any good yet but that's probably due to not needing to use it yet.:)
https://www.arcadiareptile.com/envir...eat-projector/

Mine tend to wander into either the greenhouse or their indoor pen (in a shed). However, the night the temperature was due to drop Beatrice had decided to stay out, so I popped her in the greenhouse. I'm glad I did as it was 5 degrees in the morning at 0700. Just such a drop.

But then I am a fusspot!

5 degrees is warm for a horsfield Jan I have seen mine out with frost on their backs before.

Oh my goodness!

Perhaps I am still fussing?

I think it is because that is the hibernation temperature.

So, if we have these really cold nights and then warm in the day, will they just warm up and get going?

Does this mean that they cope with the extremes in a 24 hour period?

You are fussing Jan but that's so sweet and don't be afraid to say so ! Nothing wrong with it. I think if I had elderly Horsfields it may be different but my lot haven't seen a lamp or been indoors in over 25 years. I do keep an eye on them but yes they do cope with extremes but probably not wet extremes. Cold , then hot, warm, cold, they go through it this time of year. there is a view that tortoises should be kept indoors overnight and warmed up before going outdoors but I do prefer the natural wind down as nature intended. Can you imagine all that food stuffs inside them because they are coiffured under a lamp and then dumped in the middle of the lawn because its still August or Sept. Different in spring when they need to get going perhaps and I do bring my spurs and margies in over night under a night light....and what do they do they walk to the end of their tables and wake up in 5 degrees so you can not cater for it...IMO, CB

Thank you Gordon and CB - natural it will be then.

I will tell them in the morning - when they eventually get up!

Bet they have been raging around today Jan. I was wondering whether to go for a walk in the New Forest today but can't be bothered....that's terrible isn't it ! its so blue skies here

Interestingly Bertie on the quiet side and stayed in the greenhouse very happily. Beatrice was back to normal with a huge appetite and late to bed.

You will be pleased to hear just left them to it.

You were right not to venture out, it is the going home that is the problem. Everyone would be on the move on the last weekend of the holidays. Lovely day out and then you would be stuck in traffic!

I know ! its crazy this time of year. Though tonight I was caught unawares as the nights just drew in in no time!! Just been out with a torch checking for diggers and hidey holers CB