Day and night Temperatures Posted: 17/01/2015 by Brummy_Tort
Hi I still have my Horsfield in a viv until I can get a table setup. However I just want to know what people think are the best temperatures to keep them happy.
I have a heat lamp which is currently controlled via a thermostat to provide a temperature gradient so the cool end is kept around 27C / 80F during the day. Is this too hot? and if so what would be advisable?
At night my room temperature drops to around 16C / 61F and the cool end where he tends to sleep is at around 18-19C / 64-66F. Of course this fluctuates depending on how long I've had the heating on etc and the outside temperature.
The coldest it would probably ever get in my house would be 10-13C / 50-55F, but that would be extreme and when the heating has not been on for some time.
What I would really like to know is what is a safe nighttime temperature for Horsfields ?
Thanks Darren ( Birmingham UK.
Re: Day and night Temperatures Posted: 17/01/2015 by Tom
I have already answered this two days ago, giving you a very cheap (£5-£10) & simple way to provide a 'table'.
I made it clear that the way you were keeping it, (ridiculously hot!) is unkind - yet you continue.
Horsfields should have a substantial temp. drop overnight, the range you mention above is acceptable. Have you read the TPG Caresheet, as I suggested?
Tom
ps This species can be hibernated, the length of which, depends on age.
Click on "The Tortoise" box.
Re: Day and night Temperatures Posted: 20/01/2015 by Brummy_Tort
Hi Tom
You will be very pleased to learn that I have now modified the viv. There is a large opening all the way along its front length. The glass doors have been removed and replaced with a piece of wood that is the length of the opening and about 8 inches high. I then cut out part of that length and reattached it with hinges so it makes an easy accessible drop down flap.
Regarding temperatures. The cool end fluctuates around 18-21C during the day and as I still have the heat lamp on a thermostat it comes on and goes off keeping the warm end at a nice temperature for him to bask.
The room temperature has fallen to 15C the past few nights as it's been pretty cold outside. so that seems in line with what the care sheets recommend.
I care very much about the welfare of the tortoise and having been thrown in the deep end with no prior knowledge of how to look after them I think I am doing the best I possibly can. Considering all the contradictory information on how to care for these animals it's not surprising that people don't know who is giving the right sort of care instructions, or just misinformation.
as I mentioned in a previous post I was told the complete opposite to the advice you have given and that was by someone who has spent donkey's years looking after reptiles.
I must admit that when I get him up in the morning and he feels really cold it concerns me a little. However today has been so different. I have never known him so active as he has not stopped walking around , going from one corner to the next digging . I think a more appropriate name for him would be JCB as he moves the stones I've put in some corners and then just carries on digging. I don't know where he has got all this energy from?
I have been to homebase today to get some top soil as Wicks did not have any. It was quite cold and lumpy so am leaving it overnight to defrost and warm up. I Will then use it tomorrow so he should be very happy digging in that.
For the record I will just mention that I am actually registered blind, although I do have some sight. I am able to measure temperatures using a talking thermometer and have had to ask other people if his eyes and nose look clear which happily they do.
the only outstanding thing that is concerning me is the little popping / clicking sound that comes from his nostrils. I intend to take him to a chap who knows about tortoises and see what he makes of this condition.
