Outdoor Nighttime Temps

[go_fish]

It's starting to get a little colder at nighttime now (geez, where did the time go?). It's about mid 50's at night. Should I be bringing them in at night?

One thing that they do - all 4 of my torts sleep in the same place at night on my balcony. Most of my balcony is covered, but they choose to sleep in the spot that is NOT covered, so when it rains while they sleep, they get a good soaking. I'm just concerned this will make them cold. There's about a few inches of dirt and some grass growing in the area they choose to sleep.

Advice appreciated.

[Didi]

Probably if it is cold and rainy, bring them in.  Are they active during the day?  If it gets colder, they may go into hibernation.

[go_fish]

Thanks, Didi. I was thinking the same thing, but didn't know if I was being too paranoid  And thankfully just after I sent that topic out, the weather started warming up here. We've got some hot weather for some more days, although next Thurs and Fri, it will only be 'Mainly Sunny', with the high being 64F and the low being 55F. I guess I should then start bringing them in at night? Egads...I'm such a novice at this...

[Didi]

You are a good parent to be thinking about the temps and weather.
I think the risks are:
1) the temps dropping below freezing and them dying
2) the temps being too low for them to eat, but them not hibernating and then they can lose weight
Then I read something about if they go into hibernation with food in their systems and it can ferment and cause problems.

[ohaibones]

I believe they're not supposed to get below 65 degrees at night, so anything below that and I would bring them in.

[someturtleguy]

We brought ours in after it started getting into the 50's at night. He's inside for the rest of the winter now, and it's not warm enough out there for him to do much during the day.

[jacklee]

My Russians never get heat at night until it gets into the low 40's F. I would worry about them getting wet and cold. They're from areas that are cold but dry so I would move them to were they are dry. I do provide them a hot basking area during the day that they can use. Irie is there alot but Tortuga may stay a day or two were it is cool and sleeps before using the basking area.

[TimmyL]

I am a bit confused about what the correct answer is to the original question.  The temps quoted vary greatly. ( 65 - low 40s)   I live in Southern California.   It is currently getting into the low 50s at night but is sunny and 70-80 during the day.   Should I bring my little guy in at night and let him roam during the day?   

[jacklee]

If I were you I would leave them outside, 70-80's during the day is plenty warm for them and 50's at night is not to cold for them. When temps during the day go into the 60's is when I would bring them inside. But remember it's what I would do, if you feel uncomfortable leaving them outside bring them in at night and take them outside during the day.

[Jay.j]

You say that the area they chose to sleep in has a little earth in it, they are probably choosing to sleep there because of that is there any way you could provide earth for them to dig down in in a more sheltered area? If not you can just bring them in at night to be on the safe side then you don't have to worry