Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in northern California where temps vary from summer to winter 105-30F and was wondering if there are any other tortoises besides the Russian that I could keep outdoors year round.

Thanx
Scott

I live in Sonoma County, and our temps range from about 25 to 100, but I think the major issue in keeping tortoises outside all year round here is the amount of winter rain. Aside from day-to-day temperature fluctuations, hibernating tortoises in the ground isn't a good idea, because it would be very difficult to protect them from getting wet. If you weren't planning to hibernate your tortoises, and could provide a good sized heated shed, you could keep them up for the winter, but if you are looking at Mediterranean torts, you might just as well bring them in for the winter and house them in a tortoise table. Easier and probably more energy-efficient.

I have Hermann's, and if I'm eventually lucky enough to have land with a barn, I'll probably convert part of it to a tortoise room with access to an outside pen, and then they'll live there permanently, but that's an accomodation you might not be able to make.
-----
Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko