My opinion exactly, Terry.........n/p

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Posted by B B on November 01, 2000 at 23:15:57:

In Reply to: Re: African Sulcata - hybernate? posted by Terry on November 01, 2000 at 22:39:10:

:
: Hi Laura,
: I would be worried about the temperature outdoors. I don't think you should be putting him out so early, or bringing him in so late ( when it's dark).
: He is probably too cold when you put him out at 5pm. And if it doesn't get above 75 during the day, then he can't warm up enough either.
: Small sulcata tortoises ( hatchlings/babies) don't have the body mass of larger/older tortoises and can't tolerate any cold conditions.

: So I believe that he's too cold first thing in the morning, then can't warm up enough if the day time temperature is not higher than around 75. Then he may get cold again as you don't bring him in till dark.

: I would build a larger INDOOR enclosure for him and keep him in there on days that you work.
: On your days off if the weather is good put him out around 10 or when it's nice and warm and bring him in an hour or two before sun set. Before it gets cold or chilly.

: He's still too young to be outdoors all year 24/7, especially if the weather isn't suitable.

: I live in Hawaii and house all my tortoises/turtles outdoors year round.
: My sulcatas have garden sheds they sleep in at night, during the day they roam the yard. It rarely gets below 65 at night, but on colder nights I either close the shed door or/and turn on the Pearlco heat bulb for them.
: The shed is 6'-8', the Pearlco 150 watts.

: Sulcatas under 5" go out during the day at around 9.30 and are brought in at around 5pm.
: We don't have daylight saving time over here, at 5.30 it's still warm and sunny, sun set right now is around 6.30pm.

: When he is bigger you can start thinking about year round outdoor living for him. Until then I would only put him out on days when you're home.
: Don't put him out too early or bring him in too late.Did you visit Sulcata Station? They have some nice photos of indoor enclosures for small sulcatas. You can also join the Sulcata Station email list, it will put you in contact with a lot more sulcata keepers.Or join the African Tortoise email list at egroups.com.
: Hope this helps.
: Terry.

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: : : : Hi Laura, : : I would be worried about the temperature outdoors. I don't think you should be putting him out so early, or bringing him in so late ( when it's dark). : : He is probably too cold when you put him out at 5pm. And if it doesn't get above 75 during the day, then he can't warm up enough either. : : Small sulcata tortoises ( hatchlings/babies) don't have the body mass of larger/older tortoises and can't tolerate any cold conditions. : : So I believe that he's too cold first thing in the morning, then can't warm up enough if the day time temperature is not higher than around 75. Then he may get cold again as you don't bring him in till dark. : : I would build a larger INDOOR enclosure for him and keep him in there on days that you work. : : On your days off if the weather is good put him out around 10 or when it's nice and warm and bring him in an hour or two before sun set. Before it gets cold or chilly. : : He's still too young to be outdoors all year 24/7, especially if the weather isn't suitable. : : I live in Hawaii and house all my tortoises/turtles outdoors year round. : : My sulcatas have garden sheds they sleep in at night, during the day they roam the yard. It rarely gets below 65 at night, but on colder nights I either close the shed door or/and turn on the Pearlco heat bulb for them. : : The shed is 6'-8', the Pearlco 150 watts. : : Sulcatas under 5" go out during the day at around 9.30 and are brought in at around 5pm. : : We don't have daylight saving time over here, at 5.30 it's still warm and sunny, sun set right now is around 6.30pm. : : When he is bigger you can start thinking about year round outdoor living for him. Until then I would only put him out on days when you're home. : : Don't put him out too early or bring him in too late.Did you visit Sulcata Station? They have some nice photos of indoor enclosures for small sulcatas. You can also join the Sulcata Station email list, it will put you in contact with a lot more sulcata keepers.Or join the African Tortoise email list at egroups.com. : : Hope this helps. : : Terry.

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