Temperature ranges to mimic natural variations - Page 3

Ozric Jonathan · 17-05-2011, 02:32 PM

Although I already gave a long-winded answer, I'll a bit to it! Midday temperatures in the mediterrean countries can be very high at ground level in the open. But I don't try to copy that because tortoises do not venture out in those conditions. So when my tortoises are indoors, they end up with far more hours of usable conditions than the wild ones would experience. I don't see this as a problem. In a way they are having more favourable conditions than wild animals. I don't see any value in copying 48C so I don't try.

When mine are outside I have facilities for them including heat. I don't want to keep a mediterreanean tortoise at 12C day after overcast day. That does not get anywhere near their spring and autumn conditions. So I have a range of options that are open to them including going outside, sitting in the coldframe and sitting in a heated area of the coldframe. They go right outside a lot but also retreat to the warm coldframe. I let them decide. They are the experts on thermoregulation.

In my experience, hermanns like warmth. If the sun is out they can get warm even when the air temperature is quite low. They need access to enough warmth.

I live in one of the worst parts of the uk for keeping a mediterranean tortoise and often this week it has been 20C in London with sun and 12C in Glasgow with cloud and rain. I am hugely outside the natural range of the animal and if I just leave them to theior own devices outside with no help they will not thrive.

EJ · 18-05-2011, 02:54 PM

I really don't understand why this is being so over complicated.

You provide a basking spot and the means for the tortoise to thermoregulate. Why make it more difficult for the animal by varying its source of thermoregulation?

onarock · 01-07-2011, 09:06 AM

I keep all my tortoises outdoors 24/7/365 a year. I believe as long as the they are kept inside certain perameters they will thrive. Mine are usually out basking at 6am. They graze, forage, breed, whatever till about 11am then they head to the bushes. They come out again in the afternoon this time of year between 1:30 and 2pm. and usually stay out till around 6-7pm. They do this year round. Granted, where I live never gets that hot and never gets cold. Average day time high temp is 30-31c and average night time low is 20-21c. I dont think that providing a variance is all that critical. Give them ideal conditons or close to it as possible and they will thrive.

**Alan1** · 01-07-2011, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onarock

I keep all my tortoises outdoors 24/7/365 a year. I believe as long as the they are kept inside certain perameters they will thrive. Mine are usually out basking at 6am. They graze, forage, breed, whatever till about 11am then they head to the bushes. They come out again in the afternoon this time of year between 1:30 and 2pm. and usually stay out till around 6-7pm. They do this year round. Granted, where I live never gets that hot and never gets cold. Average day time high temp is 30-31c and average night time low is 20-21c. I dont think that providing a variance is all that critical. Give them ideal conditons or close to it as possible and they will thrive.

Do you keep any mediterranean species? it would be interesting to know what their year round behaviour is like, whether it is 100% the same all year or not

ibizathetort · 01-07-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onarock

I keep all my tortoises outdoors 24/7/365 a year. I believe as long as the they are kept inside certain perameters they will thrive. Mine are usually out basking at 6am. They graze, forage, breed, whatever till about 11am then they head to the bushes. They come out again in the afternoon this time of year between 1:30 and 2pm. and usually stay out till around 6-7pm. They do this year round. Granted, where I live never gets that hot and never gets cold. Average day time high temp is 30-31c and average night time low is 20-21c. I dont think that providing a variance is all that critical. Give them ideal conditons or close to it as possible and they will thrive.

Can I come live with you

Ozric Jonathan · 01-07-2011, 07:15 PM

Yeah; that approach doesn't work in Scotland. Believe me! Right now my tortoises are "outside" in a double glazed coldframe with additional heat and light. This gets us up to Mediterranean spring conditions.

17-05-2011, 02:32 PM	#21
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	Although I already gave a long-winded answer, I'll a bit to it! Midday temperatures in the mediterrean countries can be very high at ground level in the open. But I don't try to copy that because tortoises do not venture out in those conditions. So when my tortoises are indoors, they end up with far more hours of usable conditions than the wild ones would experience. I don't see this as a problem. In a way they are having more favourable conditions than wild animals. I don't see any value in copying 48C so I don't try. When mine are outside I have facilities for them including heat. I don't want to keep a mediterreanean tortoise at 12C day after overcast day. That does not get anywhere near their spring and autumn conditions. So I have a range of options that are open to them including going outside, sitting in the coldframe and sitting in a heated area of the coldframe. They go right outside a lot but also retreat to the warm coldframe. I let them decide. They are the experts on thermoregulation. In my experience, hermanns like warmth. If the sun is out they can get warm even when the air temperature is quite low. They need access to enough warmth. I live in one of the worst parts of the uk for keeping a mediterranean tortoise and often this week it has been 20C in London with sun and 12C in Glasgow with cloud and rain. I am hugely outside the natural range of the animal and if I just leave them to theior own devices outside with no help they will not thrive. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

18-05-2011, 02:54 PM	#22
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	I really don't understand why this is being so over complicated. You provide a basking spot and the means for the tortoise to thermoregulate. Why make it more difficult for the animal by varying its source of thermoregulation? __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

01-07-2011, 07:15 PM	#26
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	Yeah; that approach doesn't work in Scotland. Believe me! Right now my tortoises are "outside" in a double glazed coldframe with additional heat and light. This gets us up to Mediterranean spring conditions. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

01-07-2011, 09:06 AM	#23
onarock Member Hatched Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 327	I keep all my tortoises outdoors 24/7/365 a year. I believe as long as the they are kept inside certain perameters they will thrive. Mine are usually out basking at 6am. They graze, forage, breed, whatever till about 11am then they head to the bushes. They come out again in the afternoon this time of year between 1:30 and 2pm. and usually stay out till around 6-7pm. They do this year round. Granted, where I live never gets that hot and never gets cold. Average day time high temp is 30-31c and average night time low is 20-21c. I dont think that providing a variance is all that critical. Give them ideal conditons or close to it as possible and they will thrive.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)