Shelled Warriors Forums
 

Go Back   Shelled Warriors Forums > Tortoise Information > Mediterranean Tortoises - Information & Questions

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 28-12-2008, 06:16 PM   #1
3lli3 xx
Member
Egg
 
3lli3 xx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London, Essex
Posts: 68
Question outside worries !

hi, just wondering little jasper is only 6 months and i am in th e process of getting him an outdoor enclosure i am still new to all this so just wondering when is it alright to take him out?, can he eat the grass?, i am just a bit confused as i have seen some peeps posting pics of their torts out in the winter , is this good? altough it might be different considering mine is still a hatchling. Please note this enclosure is not perminent it has all the torts needs but is just for a play in not an over night job!
3lli3 xx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2008, 06:42 PM   #2
TortMad
Senior Member
Adult
 
TortMad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2,639
Default

I would wait now until spring arrives and it starts to warm up. I have had my torts out lately, but my guys are quite big so can cope with the cold much better than a hatchling
__________________
Lea

2.1.0 testudo horsfeldii
0.2.0 testudo graeca ibera
2.0.0 geochelone pardalis babcocki

http://www.thehenshouse.co.uk/

Last edited by TortMad; 28-12-2008 at 07:39 PM.
TortMad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2008, 06:47 PM   #3
sandy
Senior Member
Adult
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Kent UK
Posts: 12,144
Default

If he/she is a horsfield or med tortoise, then its far too cold outside this time of the year. You have to wait until the Spring, if we get one
Provided he/she has shelter, and an escape proof enclosure then they can stay outside 24/7 from May onwards depending where you live. If up north then they can go out from the end of May onwards.
__________________
< > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles
\0/
/_\

http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends
sandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2008, 06:48 PM   #4
Kirkie
Senior Member
Adult
 
Kirkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,887
Default

I think most of the pictures you'll see of torts outside are going to be non Med species, Leopards and the like. These will have heating available to allow them to reach sufficient body temperature so they can wander outside. I wouldn't take a youngster like your's out until a warm spring day at the earliest.

Seems a long way off at the moment doesn't it
Kirkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2008, 06:56 PM   #5
Mrs Frog
Senior Member
Adult
 
Mrs Frog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 4,419
Default

I have bought a childs wooden sand pit for my 3 to go out in,but i think it will be april or May before it will be warm enough
Mrs Frog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2008, 08:14 PM   #6
Paulg1
Senior Member
Adult
 
Paulg1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,116
Default

I've had my guys out all week but I live in georgia,usa and it has been in the 70f range. I will let my leo and sully out when it's colder but my hatchling ibera I wouldn't let out unless it was at least 60f and only for a little while. If you've seen my pics of my guys outside don't be confused, I don't live in europe.
__________________
0.1.0 G. sulcata/Larry
0.1.0 G. pardalis babcocki/Leo
1.0.0 G. pardalis pardalis/Tino



"Stop the world, I want to get off!"
Paulg1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2008, 08:18 PM   #7
anna m
Senior Member
Adult
 
anna m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 4,091
Default

Don't rub it in Paulg1. It's freezing here
anna m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2008, 08:47 PM   #8
beckyzazou
Member
Hatched
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lancs, Bolton
Posts: 263
Default

I would definately wait a little while, it has been quite cold, and reading the weather forcast, there is more to come.

Hatchlings in my opinion are not as hardy to temp changes and the Med is certainly warmer than the UK.....

I do bring my torts in at night even in the summer. Really, only because I'm a softy and can't sleep thinking of burgulars cats etc. My enclosures are preditor and weather proof, but I sleep well when all my animals are tucked up safely for the night
beckyzazou is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2008, 11:01 PM   #9
Paulg1
Senior Member
Adult
 
Paulg1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,116
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by anna m View Post
Don't rub it in Paulg1. It's freezing here
Sorry Anna. I'm really not trying to rub it in.
__________________
0.1.0 G. sulcata/Larry
0.1.0 G. pardalis babcocki/Leo
1.0.0 G. pardalis pardalis/Tino



"Stop the world, I want to get off!"
Paulg1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-12-2008, 01:30 AM   #10
Ozric Jonathan
Senior Member
Adult
 
Ozric Jonathan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: West of Scotland
Posts: 4,226
Default

Hi Ellie. My Hermanns don't eat grass except very occasionally, so its not food, but its not a poison either. Your tort won't be able to go outside till spring and even then you'll need to watch the temperatures.

Some people use a rabbit cage which can go outside when its a nice day. Your tortoise will need to be protected from birds, cats and other hazards. Whatever you use outside there must also be a shady place to hide in it. Its possible to make a wooden frame and fix chicken wire to it to make a cage and this can work well. The bigger the outside place is the better really, but even a small thing is very much better than nothing, and you cna easily improve on it over time. Somehting that lets the natural sun light in and keeps predators out.
__________________
Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises
Ozric Jonathan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


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

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.