over wintering night time temperatures

Mighty_Quinn · 19-01-2015, 09:27 PM

What would be the recommended lowest night time temperature for a 4 year old THH? I've a new digital thermostat installed in the room the tortoise is in and wanting to set the night time heating schedule so I don't have to use extra CHEs etc

Merlin M · 19-01-2015, 09:45 PM

I would say 15°C, I find with my Horsfields lower than that and they dont want to get up in the morning

**egyptiandan64** · 20-01-2015, 01:58 AM

All depends on the individual tortoise

You can try 15C but if it's not getting up in the morning on it's own to bask, you'll have to up it. So basicly between 15 and 20C for a night time low.

Danny

emma_mcraf · 20-01-2015, 09:43 AM

Mine don't go lower than 17C and seem pretty perky through the winter.

Suze65 · 20-01-2015, 11:25 AM

I agree with Dan, I think it depends on the individual tortoise. But , between 15and 18

Ozric Jonathan · 20-01-2015, 11:58 AM

I think these numbers seem quite high and hermanns can cope with lower temps than that. But I'd agree that providing 15C+ will help the tortoise to keep going and not slow down over the winter.

Right now I've got my heating on 24/7 anyway just to keep a reasonable temp up for the humans. Last night here was very cold, at least -4C outdoors.

sandy · 20-01-2015, 03:00 PM

I have kept young tortoises for over 20yrs and the temps in my house can go down as low as 5c at night and they still come out to bask the next day.
I think 15c -17c is far too high. Its certainly a lot higher than they would have in the wild.
Its humans that think they need to be higher, as the keeper is human and not cold blooded like tortoises:0)

Mighty_Quinn · 20-01-2015, 05:53 PM

ok thanks folks, i'll got for between 12 & 15 see how Quinn does and up it if required.

Catwoman63 · 20-01-2015, 06:59 PM

I agree with Dan, I wouldn't let the temps go lower than that

x

4chester · 20-01-2015, 09:10 PM

Just a meandering thought, but If your tort is burying then it's insulating itself against air temps, I'm guessing when Sandy's temps have dropped so low it's directly before the heating has kicked in, so while the air temps may be cooler for a short period, it won't be feeling them as it's not directly exposed to the air just what ambient heat is left in the medium.

Back to me beer now

19-01-2015, 09:27 PM	#1
Mighty_Quinn Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Scotland Posts: 500	over wintering night time temperatures What would be the recommended lowest night time temperature for a 4 year old THH? I've a new digital thermostat installed in the room the tortoise is in and wanting to set the night time heating schedule so I don't have to use extra CHEs etc __________________

19-01-2015, 09:45 PM	#2
Merlin M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 4,186	I would say 15°C, I find with my Horsfields lower than that and they dont want to get up in the morning __________________ 1:1:1 Horsfields (Misha, Amber and Teabag) 1:0:0 Dog: Rocco, Rottweiler cross 1 husband (Russ)

20-01-2015, 01:58 AM	#3
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	All depends on the individual tortoise You can try 15C but if it's not getting up in the morning on it's own to bask, you'll have to up it. So basicly between 15 and 20C for a night time low. Danny __________________

20-01-2015, 09:43 AM	#4
emma_mcraf Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 11,365	Mine don't go lower than 17C and seem pretty perky through the winter. __________________ Emma Testudo Hermanni 5.12.2:Theo, Tamara, Tabitha, Harriet, Isabelle, Clara, Oscar, Hugo, Oliver, Florence, Arabella, Esmé, Aurelia, Felicia, Claudia, Atticus, Celestia, Amaris, Tristan and Clementine Budgies: Jasper, Ivo, Otis, Henry, Louie and Luca Doggies: 1.1.0 Chester and Lottie

20-01-2015, 11:25 AM	#5
Suze65 Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 6,769	I agree with Dan, I think it depends on the individual tortoise. But , between 15and 18 __________________ Suze. 3 THB, Sammy, Jemima, & Phoebe 7 Marginated, Tabitha, Ptolome, Tatiana, Noah,Lottey, Lulu & Poppy 1 TGG (Emma) RIP Feb 2012

20-01-2015, 11:58 AM	#6
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	I think these numbers seem quite high and hermanns can cope with lower temps than that. But I'd agree that providing 15C+ will help the tortoise to keep going and not slow down over the winter. Right now I've got my heating on 24/7 anyway just to keep a reasonable temp up for the humans. Last night here was very cold, at least -4C outdoors. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

20-01-2015, 03:00 PM	#7
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	I have kept young tortoises for over 20yrs and the temps in my house can go down as low as 5c at night and they still come out to bask the next day. I think 15c -17c is far too high. Its certainly a lot higher than they would have in the wild. Its humans that think they need to be higher, as the keeper is human and not cold blooded like tortoises:0) __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

20-01-2015, 05:53 PM	#8
Mighty_Quinn Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Scotland Posts: 500	ok thanks folks, i'll got for between 12 & 15 see how Quinn does and up it if required. __________________

20-01-2015, 06:59 PM	#9
Catwoman63 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South East England Posts: 6,739	I agree with Dan, I wouldn't let the temps go lower than that x __________________ BEV XXX 0.3.0 - T Horsfieldii (Xena, Zelda & Lilly) 2.2.0 - TG Terrestris (Zeus, Astreus / Zagreus & Alexia) 1.2.0 - Zebra Finches (Gunner / Bonnie & May) 0.1.0 - SBT (Hazel) 1.0.0 - FBD (Ted)

20-01-2015, 09:10 PM	#10
4chester Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Geordieland Posts: 162	Just a meandering thought, but If your tort is burying then it's insulating itself against air temps, I'm guessing when Sandy's temps have dropped so low it's directly before the heating has kicked in, so while the air temps may be cooler for a short period, it won't be feeling them as it's not directly exposed to the air just what ambient heat is left in the medium. Back to me beer now

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