Heat mat

Beardy100 · 13-04-2013, 08:23 PM

Hello I have just bought a tortoise table and have the heat lamp and uv light at one end of the table,at the other end is a separate covered section with a little doorway and a roof over it,
Do I need to have a heat mat with the table and if so where is the best place to put it as I have been told to put it in the covered section off some people and others have said I don't need a heat mat,please help

lynnedit · 14-04-2013, 06:10 AM

I believe most don't use a heat mat, due to fear of the tortoise overheating underneath.
Consider adding a light half way down your enclosure for some extra heat and light. It can be a regular house bulb.
Med torts generally don't need night heating unless your house gets very cold at night.
What kind of tortoise do you have? That helps determine more details about lighting and heating.
If you post pictures of your enclosure, that helps too.

yuna1971 · 14-04-2013, 02:46 PM

Some owners do use a heat mat though..but using with a thermostat. It's just individual preference really. Some place them on the sides of the hide so that tort can easily move away. I prefer a CHE to the heat mat but I know there are many owners that use heat mats. xx

lynnedit · 14-04-2013, 04:46 PM

True, the inside of a side would work very well. (they don't transmit heat well through wood). I find the main issue with most indoor tortoise enclosures is lack of light; lots of dark areas. So even if you decide on a heat mat, think about additional light as well!
Still, good advice does depend on the type of tortoise you have.

Beardy100 · 14-04-2013, 07:12 PM

Sorry it won't let me add pics but my table is the same as the one in the link,I have bought the exo terra solar glow 125w uv and heat bulb in one so would I need the heat mat inside the enclosure during the night or would it be ok if I have the light on for the 12 hours each day
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/tortoise-r...vip=true&rt=nc

yuna1971 · 14-04-2013, 07:32 PM

That's a great point there, Lynne..one I often refer to is sometimes inactivity is due to lack of light and just too many dark areas within the enclosure. xx

lynnedit · 15-04-2013, 05:11 AM

Kind of learned that the hard way, myself, lol

Beardy100, what kind of tortoise do you have? You may not need night heat of any kind, unless your house gets very cold.
A good thermometer is worth investing in (infared thermometers work well- you can point at an area and take the temp).
Yes, definitely keep the lights (UV and basking) on at least 12-14 hours per day. A timer works well for this. Just make sure the enclosure is well lit during the day.

Beardy100 · 15-04-2013, 08:02 PM

I don't have a tortoise yet as I want to set it all up and get it right first time,I will be getting horse field or Herman which are the best and would I need the mat in the enclosure for either of these

koimon · 17-04-2013, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beardy100

I will be getting horse field or Herman which are the best

You may get conflicting views on that!

Beardy100 · 17-04-2013, 09:42 PM

Ok but will I need a heat mat for either of these

13-04-2013, 08:23 PM	#1
Beardy100 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 5	Heat mat Hello I have just bought a tortoise table and have the heat lamp and uv light at one end of the table,at the other end is a separate covered section with a little doorway and a roof over it, Do I need to have a heat mat with the table and if so where is the best place to put it as I have been told to put it in the covered section off some people and others have said I don't need a heat mat,please help

14-04-2013, 06:10 AM	#2
lynnedit Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Washington State, USA Posts: 332	I believe most don't use a heat mat, due to fear of the tortoise overheating underneath. Consider adding a light half way down your enclosure for some extra heat and light. It can be a regular house bulb. Med torts generally don't need night heating unless your house gets very cold at night. What kind of tortoise do you have? That helps determine more details about lighting and heating. If you post pictures of your enclosure, that helps too. __________________ Lynne Horsfields 1.3.0 Ornate box turtle 0.1.0 Pacific NW, US

14-04-2013, 02:46 PM	#3
yuna1971 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 7,157	Some owners do use a heat mat though..but using with a thermostat. It's just individual preference really. Some place them on the sides of the hide so that tort can easily move away. I prefer a CHE to the heat mat but I know there are many owners that use heat mats. xx __________________ Rach Lily's Movie. http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=68025

14-04-2013, 04:46 PM	#4
lynnedit Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Washington State, USA Posts: 332	True, the inside of a side would work very well. (they don't transmit heat well through wood). I find the main issue with most indoor tortoise enclosures is lack of light; lots of dark areas. So even if you decide on a heat mat, think about additional light as well! Still, good advice does depend on the type of tortoise you have. __________________ Lynne Horsfields 1.3.0 Ornate box turtle 0.1.0 Pacific NW, US

14-04-2013, 07:32 PM	#6
yuna1971 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 7,157	That's a great point there, Lynne..one I often refer to is sometimes inactivity is due to lack of light and just too many dark areas within the enclosure. xx __________________ Rach Lily's Movie. http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=68025

14-04-2013, 07:12 PM	#5
Beardy100 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 5	Sorry it won't let me add pics but my table is the same as the one in the link,I have bought the exo terra solar glow 125w uv and heat bulb in one so would I need the heat mat inside the enclosure during the night or would it be ok if I have the light on for the 12 hours each day http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/tortoise-r...vip=true&rt=nc

15-04-2013, 05:11 AM	#7
lynnedit Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Washington State, USA Posts: 332	Kind of learned that the hard way, myself, lol Beardy100, what kind of tortoise do you have? You may not need night heat of any kind, unless your house gets very cold. A good thermometer is worth investing in (infared thermometers work well- you can point at an area and take the temp). Yes, definitely keep the lights (UV and basking) on at least 12-14 hours per day. A timer works well for this. Just make sure the enclosure is well lit during the day. __________________ Lynne Horsfields 1.3.0 Ornate box turtle 0.1.0 Pacific NW, US Last edited by lynnedit; 15-04-2013 at 05:22 AM.

15-04-2013, 08:02 PM	#8
Beardy100 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 5	I don't have a tortoise yet as I want to set it all up and get it right first time,I will be getting horse field or Herman which are the best and would I need the mat in the enclosure for either of these

17-04-2013, 09:42 PM	#10
Beardy100 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 5	Ok but will I need a heat mat for either of these

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