Sulcatta question

Pussygalore · 28-05-2012, 08:52 AM

Bolder now has a bigger outside area with a kennel, the kennel is to have a ceramic heat bulb on a thermostat, at the moment I'm only putting her out when I'm at home in case the weather changes. What sort of temp should I set the thermostat to if I ever wanted to leave her out overnight and daytime if we go out leaving the heat on all the time. Would 20c be enough or should it be higher? thanks

Pussygalore · 28-05-2012, 12:05 PM

no answers ?

**egyptiandan64** · 28-05-2012, 01:05 PM

20C should be just fine Ann

Danny

Pussygalore · 28-05-2012, 01:34 PM

thanks Dan

there is so much conflicting advice on temps for sully's

EJ · 30-05-2012, 12:46 PM

The warmer the better. This way the tortoise is warmed up to forrage in the morning. I would suggest at least 30C. You might also look into a heat mat rather than a ceramic heater.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pussygalore

Bolder now has a bigger outside area with a kennel, the kennel is to have a ceramic heat bulb on a thermostat, at the moment I'm only putting her out when I'm at home in case the weather changes. What sort of temp should I set the thermostat to if I ever wanted to leave her out overnight and daytime if we go out leaving the heat on all the time. Would 20c be enough or should it be higher? thanks

Box girl · 30-05-2012, 01:15 PM

Hi how big is your sulcata?
We used to use a 120W or a 250W in winter spot bulb and ceramic heaters inside a separate shed which is inside the bigger shed. We then have trap doors so torts can come in and out when they choose. our sulcata would come in and out as they please. NB we only opened up on warm days.
I personally would not use a heat mat as they will sit on it defacate and this can cause problems to the shell.

Pussygalore · 30-05-2012, 01:24 PM

you met her at the Birmingham free check up in April, its Bolder she's still not enormous so her kennel is around 3 ft or so, a ceramic will easily heat it to what I want. At the moment its only for summer use as she'll come inside in the winter at least untill she gets to big to do so. Bolder weighed 999grms in April when last weighed.

EJ · 07-06-2012, 06:36 PM

I've been using them for at least 15 years without a problem. Many keepers I know with collections of large tortoises have been using them for longer than that. It is also more natural than overhead heating. The heart is located at the bottom of the shell so bloodflow is warmed and circulated more efficiently.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box girl

I personally would not use a heat mat as they will sit on it defacate and this can cause problems to the shell.

**egyptiandan64** · 08-06-2012, 02:31 PM

Didn't see the daytime

20C is fine for an overnight temperature, but like Ed said during the day your going to have to up that to at least 30C.

Danny

ClareandCo · 08-06-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stells

How can defecating harm the shell... surely it would be a matter of cleanliness... as in you wouldn't leave any animal sitting in its own.....

Well surely unless you are there 24/7 you wouldn't know the tortoise had poo'd!

28-05-2012, 08:52 AM	#1
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	Sulcatta question Bolder now has a bigger outside area with a kennel, the kennel is to have a ceramic heat bulb on a thermostat, at the moment I'm only putting her out when I'm at home in case the weather changes. What sort of temp should I set the thermostat to if I ever wanted to leave her out overnight and daytime if we go out leaving the heat on all the time. Would 20c be enough or should it be higher? thanks

28-05-2012, 01:05 PM	#3
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	20C should be just fine Ann Danny __________________

30-05-2012, 01:15 PM	#6
Box girl Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glos Posts: 1,326	Hi how big is your sulcata? We used to use a 120W or a 250W in winter spot bulb and ceramic heaters inside a separate shed which is inside the bigger shed. We then have trap doors so torts can come in and out when they choose. our sulcata would come in and out as they please. NB we only opened up on warm days. I personally would not use a heat mat as they will sit on it defacate and this can cause problems to the shell. __________________ www.ukchelonia.info Money raised to Allwetter Zoo Muenster e6000 sent so far. Have bred-red foots, yellow foots, eastern box, 3 toed box, ornate box, gulf coast box, common musk, elongated tortoise, red eared terrapin, cuora flavomarginata, cuora amboinensis, hermanns tortoise, horsfield tortoise, rhinoclemys.p. manni, european pond turtle, reeves and spurs

30-05-2012, 01:24 PM	#7
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	you met her at the Birmingham free check up in April, its Bolder she's still not enormous so her kennel is around 3 ft or so, a ceramic will easily heat it to what I want. At the moment its only for summer use as she'll come inside in the winter at least untill she gets to big to do so. Bolder weighed 999grms in April when last weighed. Last edited by Pussygalore; 30-05-2012 at 01:28 PM.

08-06-2012, 02:31 PM	#9
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Didn't see the daytime 20C is fine for an overnight temperature, but like Ed said during the day your going to have to up that to at least 30C. Danny __________________

28-05-2012, 12:05 PM	#2
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	no answers ?

28-05-2012, 01:34 PM	#4
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	thanks Dan there is so much conflicting advice on temps for sully's

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