Here we go again!!!!!

[ben_e71]

After last year's poor summer where after the torts burying themselves outside for the whole of June - until I brought them back inside into their table. This year I rebuilt their run and gave them an outdoor house with a glass roof to give them more light and sunshine for warmth. This last week they have once again buried (due to the greyness I expect). Overnight temps here in the SE are still mid teens ....

Do I bring them back in - which they really don't like keep being moved - or leave them buried?

[Gordon]

I have two that dug in two weeks ago now one came back up a few days ago but the other is still down in the greenhouse so im going to leave her there she knows best

[Fred123]

We have 2 still dug down, almost 2 weeks now. We are considering trying to find them this week and move them indoors. We find that even on warm days the soil is still so cold that they dig in even when its hot. We could do with several days of sunshine to warm the soil through. Not holding out much hope.

[Pussygalore]

I really think that if you want your torts to stay out over summer in this country you need to provide electricity to their house, at least that way you don't have to bring them back in. My kennel type houses had a combined bulb for dull days an a ceramic heat bulb on a thermostat for cold nights, that way they could stay out and would always come out regardless of the weather as they'd had a chance to warm up first. On a wet/cold day they would be in and out warming up but always came outside, partly because I never put their food in the houses but always outside. Apart from the obvious cost of putting electric to the houses, which isn't a lot running a bulb outside in an insulated house is no more costly than inside your house.

[sandy]

Well its grey and over cast here in Kent, and one of my male iberas has just come out of hiding (under a Yukka) and its just past 7-30am. No extra heat, just whats outside.
What species are we talking about?
Just wondering if this just applies to a particular species:0)

[Catwoman63]

2 of mine keep digging themselves down and not getting up for days, even though there is heat and light in their sheds, i dig them up to give them their bath twice a week, the others warm up under the heatlight and then go outside to eat, then go back in, i think it depends on the torts as all of mine do not do the same thing x

[ben_e71]

they are Hermanns if it helps. So sounds like it is quite common. Their house is insulated - no heatsource though - but the air temp in there is quite warm but I guess the soil in there is cool. I will put the dual proble thermometer fromt heir hibernation fridge in there tonight to see.

Apart from adding a ceramic heater - which I would consider ... anything else? Its just a shame because I love watching them.

[pagan queen]

I think I would be very worried if mine were digging down for weeks at a time this time of year, when they should be eating and fattening up while the food supply was good.

[Daryn]

My Iberas are out and about although yesterday stayed in the enclosure, (poly carb top) so gets bright in there, I just lifted them into the garden and they were away walking, I would rather have them buried down a little in the garden than have them in the house, at least I know they are getting some natural UV's.

Try having the food spread around rather in one spot, make them work for it. Have you got a photo of your outside set up so we can have a look. They react to light, as well as heat, even a normal light bulb in there hide might get them started.

[ben_e71]

Originally Posted by pagan queen

I think I would be very worried if mine were digging down for weeks at a time this time of year, when they should be eating and fattening up while the food supply was good.

Me too that's why I am asking the question :0)

Their food isn't in the house so they have to leave the house and walk the length of the enclosure to get it....

The new enclosure can be seen here http://shelledwarriors.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=68759 ... they get a lot of light into their house when the sun is up.