Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, i have a burmese Mt. tortoise and was wondering how cold is to cold for him? Right now the temps, get in the high 40s and low 50s at night, and 65-70 sometimes 80 during the day. Should i build a heated enclosure, or do you think he will be fine?

ANy help much appreciated

If your Mt.Tort is very healthy it can take cool temps down to 40F for a few hours a night.It must be able to bask or have a heat source first thing in the morning,and warm up to 70-80F Also very important is it must have very high humitity when cold,low humitity with cold weather is very hard on them.In large outside enclosures in N Florida Mt.Torts will sleep were the sun will warm them the next morning.They will also cover themselfs with loose leaves and pine straw near a tree or other dark heat obsorbing object.During times like this I only let them graze or eat light like romain.You would not want a gut full of Mazuri.If you have more conserns contact me I would be glad to help ease your mind. Vic

Thanks Vic. I hear many things about you and hear your the mountain tortoise man, lol.

What your email, just incase i have a question. Im just getting into mountain tortoises, and found out that they are one of my favorite tortoises.

I have one more question, i have the enclosure in a spot where it gets early morning sun, then the sun goes behind the house and its shade for the rest of the day. Reason why i made it there is because, i read that they like shade, should i make a enclosure, more in a sunny area?

Well,they have almost all shade were they live,but in your captive case they may utalize more sun if they had it.In S Fl. i'd say thats ok but in cooler climets,maybe more sun.Could you exstend one end past the house.You could try a pathway to another part of the yard.I'd bet they would follow a long windind path to a warm spot,and be there before the sun, ready in advance to warm up.A thermostrategy of captive Mt.tortoises. Vic the mt.man

thanks, ill try it.

How many Mt. tortoises do you have? You have a group, whats you biggest. Mine still small only 12inches. cant wait till he grows.

Kyle