07-11-2012, 05:39 PM | #1 |
Member
Incubating
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oxford
Posts: 180
|
Don't know what to do to keep my tort warm
Hi all, been a while since I last posted but lately I am worrying about my little 2 yr old tortoise. She is so inactive these days - sleeping for 3+ days without waking up and not eating much. I believed it could be a temperature-related problem since my living room is a bit chilly at night.
For this reason, I am using a ceramic bulb + thermostat to control the temperature of the enclosure at night (to around 18C). However, one problem is that my tort digs very deeply into the soil (~3 inches), and the soil down there is quite cold. The ceramic bulb obviously isn't good enough to warm up the soil. I don't know if I am imagining things...but sometimes I hear a 'sneeze' sound from the enclosure and I can't help but think that she is getting cold in the soil...can't tell for certain this is true... What should I do? Shall I get a heatmat and stick it at the bottom of her sleeping area so she can get some heat from beneath? Anyone with experience with heat mat before? Are they safe to use (for tortoise as well as fire hazard)? All advise welcome!!
__________________
Human = Derek Tort = Sushi Hermann 0.0.1 (Hatched Aug 2010) |
07-11-2012, 06:13 PM | #2 | |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8,277
|
What kind of enclosure are you using to house the tortoise. The most efficient way to maintain the temperature that tortoise is exposed to is to keep it in an enclosed viv with a ceramic heater and a UVB light source.
Quote:
__________________
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 |
|
07-11-2012, 06:46 PM | #3 |
Member
Incubating
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oxford
Posts: 180
|
I am using a open-top enclosure as I have been reading a lot about how vivarium is not ideal regarding ventilation?? So you think I should switch?
__________________
Human = Derek Tort = Sushi Hermann 0.0.1 (Hatched Aug 2010) |
07-11-2012, 07:15 PM | #4 |
Member
Hatchling
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: west mids
Posts: 590
|
I have an open top table and find the Arcadia d3 160w and lamp clamp works just fine . I find vivs this time of yr can cause to much condensation but personal choice really . Try dif lighting source with what you have first before spending to much on a complete change
__________________
Taszia 2 Dogs . Alfie. Riley.1 Cat . Lillyum.1Cockatoo. Cookey.2 baby THB . Geoffrey/Geoffreyna. Georgina/George. |
07-11-2012, 07:20 PM | #5 |
Member
Juvenile
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: west midlands
Posts: 800
|
some of mine were doing the same thing until i put a heat mat under their sleeping area,totally different now!!
|
07-11-2012, 07:42 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8,277
|
That's the trade off... you can provide the ventilation that some odd thinking individual believes it needs or you can close it up and provide the proper temperatures you know it needs. There should be an exchange of air but it does not have to be open air.
__________________
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 |
07-11-2012, 09:07 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Sub Adult
|
http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...?t=186&page=24
See post 236, I use both works great. We all are out to work 4 days a week and there's no heating in the room. |
07-11-2012, 09:10 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 5,337
|
I use a infrared bulb at night in my tortoise tables. Works for them
__________________
Lynne x |
07-11-2012, 09:25 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8,277
|
IR bulbs can burn a tortoise pretty easily.
__________________
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 |
08-11-2012, 12:25 AM | #10 | |
Member
Incubating
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oxford
Posts: 180
|
Quote:
__________________
Human = Derek Tort = Sushi Hermann 0.0.1 (Hatched Aug 2010) |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|