a question of heating

[stusads]

i have a marginated tortoise which does live indoors most of the time for 2 reasons
1) cats from neighbours regularly come in the garden although if a cat could actually find marge then its a better looker than i am haha

and 2) i cant get a damn straight answer as to whether she needs any extra heating outside

oh and 3) the enclosure is about 99% escape proof but i still dont trust my work

so really all i need to know is do i need an extra heat source outside?

she has a wooden shelter and a plastic seethrough hide type thing which is my excuse for a greenhouse but she has nothing which generates its own heat

any information would be great as i cant get a straight answer anywhere so it seems haha

thanks

[janeL]

well sadly I don't have any margies, but I have two tgg's which are delicate and no they are out all season. Their hut is insulated, but apart from that they don't have any heating.

I hope this helps.

[Beverley]

I keep Marginateds that are just over two, this time of year they are outside without any additional heat, they have a warm dry bed they go into at night which is also outside.
If it going to be wet for a couple if days in a row, then I put them inside, they have a tortoise table in their shed. I do not use any heat at night as the shed is insulated and warm enough.
When it gets colder I do use heat in their shed at night to keep above ten. but won't need it too long as they will be going into hibernation around christmas time.
Hope this helps

[Sylvia1]

My youngsters are put outside after warming up under their basking lamps for about 1 hour every morning. They do not have any extra heat outside. I bring them in every evening. I have 5 cats so they have wire-covered enclosures.

[stusads]

cheers guys
i know its cliche but its really hard to overcome the over protectiveness
i know shes a hardy beast at heart

[sandy]

Cats are not a problem to tortoises, so your tortoise can go outside at anytime<g>.