Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am in South Florida and the temperature high today is 96 degrees. I have noticed that my torts are definitely trying to cool off under my orchid benches. They have plenty of shade, under the orchid benches, plants in planter under the oak tree and a large planter clay dish for water to drink and self soak if they choose. I have soaked them three times daily during the afternoon heat. How hot is too hot? Should I just bring them in during the day and put them out at night or keep doing what I have been doing? Thanks.

Allegra

Yes it sure was hot today! I live across town from you, so to speak, and the weatherman said our heat index was 110 degrees.
But my redfoots were fine in the shade of some Clusia bushes, Ficus and a big Chorisia tree.
They also have constant access to clean water located in two places in the yard.
If your redfoots are like mine, then you will have noticed that they have been completely inactive during the heat of the day and only come out in the evening. This has been going on since May.
This is normal for them and as long as they can get access to shade--preferably deep shade--and have plenty to drink, they will be fine. Remember where they come from gets as hot, if not hotter than it does here. But they also can find shelter from the heat in the form of animal burrows, clumps of vegetation, etc.

Thanks Carl,

Here is another question, we are moving into our house soon and I want to build an enclosure for them in the yard. So you have a cover over your enclosure? Is one necessary if my yard will have a six foot fence to keep out the dogs, should I be worried aout anything else getting to them? I am moving into a neighborhood not the acreage or anything. Thanks.

Allegra

PS

We got two cherryhead redfoots, I'll send you a pic.

If your tortoises are larger than about 6 inches I don't think there is much that will bother them. Maybe a racoon if you have a lot of them but otherwise no. I have never had a problem and we had 'coons at one house that we lived in.
You did say that there will be a fence to keep dogs out. That is a very good idea. I would also keep a low profile too to keep nosey kids away. But that can also work against you....I had lost my best breeder male last year after Hurricane Frances had damaged part of my fence that I hadn't noticed. The people across the street found him walking down the sidewalk and thought he was a native gopher tortoise. They let him keep going and I never saw hime again. That was some loss I can tell you. But they didn't realize that I even had tortoises and only found out when I posted photos of him up and down the street.

Will send my new e-mail address

Consider a home-made burrow, and or a sprinkler, I'm sure your torts would enjoy both.

Six inches... that's a little small in my opinion. I found tonnes of slider shells around the pond that size, and looked to have been victim of racoons or other such predator. Just a thought anyway

Ian