New J is a little on the cold side for keeping sulcatas outdoors most of the year. Certainly, for summer, they should be fine. But once the temperature drops below fifty degrees, keeping the beast outdoors will eventually cause respiratory distress, lethargy, and malnutrition. The only way to solve this problem is to have a comparatively elaborate indoor setup, and this will get messy with a seventy five to one hundred and fifty pound beast. These animals have enormous space requirements, so a greenhouse would probably be the best solution, or a large heated shed, or both. Allowing the animals access to a greenhouse tied into central heating may be a good idea, though with energy costs these days, you will have a decision to make. One can simply utilize greenhouses on fair weather days, removing the animals to warmer quarters during cold and freezing spells. However, realize that lugging a seventy to one hundred and fifty pound animal about is no small task. Regardless, some means of power should be present for the animals' comfort and safety. These are some of the hurdles you will have to face in keeping such a large tropical dweller in a temperate climate. Consider such before deciding to acquire one. There are many smaller species that would be infinitely more suitable from the cost perspective. However, there's nothing quite like the sight of a giant. I love sulcatas, and I'm happy and proud to have the opportunity to care for these great beasts.



T.G.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Show Entire Thread ]