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Insulated or none insulated house
Posted: 19/07/2014 by cah1209

I am a new Spur Thighed Tortoise owner and just about to purchase a ready made Tortoise home and I have the option of insulate or none insulated. Which is recommended that I go for please .

Re: Insulated or none insulated house
Posted: 19/07/2014 by Tom

Hello,


Interesting. Can you give full details of the "house" please.

Regards,
Tom 

Re: Insulated or none insulated house
Posted: 19/07/2014 by cah1209

Hi Tom


The house is from www.northumberlandjoinary.co.uk, if you click on Other on left hand listing its the wooden tortoise  house that comes up, it's 100 x80x85.

Carol


Re: Insulated or none insulated house
Posted: 20/07/2014 by Tom

Thanks for the details Carol.


Can I also check the age of your tort. ?

Tom

Re: Insulated or none insulated house
Posted: 20/07/2014 by cah1209

Hi Tom


One Male and two females all three are 8 years old.

Carol

Re: Insulated or none insulated house
Posted: 21/07/2014 by Tom

Thank you.


I suggest that you don' t buy the item, with or without insulation.

I' ll give you more info tomorrow, or poss this evening.

In haste,
Tom

Re: Insulated or none insulated house
Posted: 23/07/2014 by Tom

I regret the delay.


The area of the house is good, but it's rather high.

Do you have a friend who is good at DIY ? It's not difficult to make a much better house at a much lower cost. 

A twin or triple polycarbonate roof, will allow the house to warm up quickly in the morning, offcuts can be obtained cheaply. It can be hinged to facilitate cleaning, or simply held down with pegs.

I suggest that the opening is about a third of the size of the front of the house, allowing plenty of light & air in. A removable door, can be fixed on at night & removed when it warms up in the morning.

The problem with too much insulation is that the house will be very slow to warm up. 
In very hot weather an old towel should be placed on the polycarbonate roof to provide shade. 

You didn't state which species of Spur-thighed, but most are quite hardy. If in doubt just post which type.

I trust that this gives you some ideas.

Best wishes,
Tom

 
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