Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Teddy has found a spot he likes on the rocks to bask.

Teddy my Sulcata

hanging outside the "window"/door to soak up rays.
Inside the lamps are still on - yes I'm just heating
up the environment. Actually after a while I shut the people
door, depends on the temps outside, it was 70's today.

He has it so rough!

he lives in such squalor!

I wonder if this could be because the rocks have soaked up some heat from the sun. However that would mean he is getting heat from below!

Your correct in your assumption that the rocks/stones have absorbed some of the sun's heat/rays.

This form of "below" heat is acceptable as it's a secondry radiant heat. This heat will be dissapated into the body/plastron without any further boosted heat, unlike a heat mat which will constantly give out heat, followed by more heat etc.
As in nature, the sun heat's up the sand which inturn emits it back into the tort but then fails to emit anyfurther heat as the body of the tort covers the pre heated area stopping the suns rays from re-heating it.

graham(UK)

Ok you are correct also. However if the tortoies moves then it is still going to get more of that heat source.