General Care Discussion :: Sitting in the Sun

[Blue Flamingo]

It finally warmed up enough that i can now let my turt sit out in the sun. I put in a half sunny half shaddy inclosure. But im nervous about him getting to hot. I check up on him like every five minutes. How long should i leave him outside. Colorado weather around 70F-80F on hot days.

[steve]

I prefer to watch over my turtles when ever they are outside, even if they are fenced in. With the weather temps you described, they can be out there for hours.

What else does the enclosure have?

[marisa]

What kind of enclosure is it (stock tank, pond, etc.?) How deep is the water? The temp range you gave isn't that warm. Is it breezy where you are?

Last summer several of my eastern painteds were in a stock tank that was covered by hardware cloth that was anchored down by boards. I left them in the stock tank for most of the day (with plants for cover, a board over part of the tank for shade and a basking area), but when it was really hot I had to periodically check the water temp so it wouldn't get too warm for them.

[Blue Flamingo]

It's just a little area in the yard that I enclosed, with a shady area and sunny area. It dosnt have a tub of water or anything like that. Should I put one out when I put him outside?

[steve]

How long are you leaving him out there? An hour or 2 should be fine. Technically they can be out there much longer, but you have to factor in his activity and weather conditions.

[Blue Flamingo]

I only left him out for 30-60 min. Ill keep an on the weather and his activities. Should he have a water source in the enclosure?

[steve]

If they have shade, 30-60 minutes is fine without water.

[Blue Flamingo]

Thanks