Hi everyone, I have just purchased my first tortoise "Trevor" we were told by the tortoise center to house him in a Viv but luckily enough I had already researched this site and he is happy in his indoor rabbit cage. Its a lovely day nearly 30 degrees on our patio, I was thinking of putting his cage outside so he can enjoy the weather but I am worried as he was kept in a vivarium at the shop.  Can anyone give me any advice please?

Hi and  so glad you did your research and you have him in a cage.  Regarding going outside, its the best place for him, one hour in the natural sunlight is worth hours under a lamp.  Just make sure there are hides incase its too much for him and his water bowl is out with him and he will be fine.

Regards Vivienne

Thanks, he has been out for about 30 mins today and I will put him out whenever I can, should I put him out with the basking lamp or not?  I have a covered area in the garden so he should be ok, since I took him in he has been in his house under lots of hay and in the soil hope he is not too shocked!!! Its all very exciting.

Hi, if you have him in a greenhouse or hutch you can put the basking lamp on, but dont put it outdoors without a covering incase it rains!

Let him warm up thoroughly under the lamp before you put him out preferably in the midday sun when its warmer. Have plenty of hides for him to shade if he wants, plus his water bowl and protect from the birds.

When you bring him in he will be tired from all the sunbathing!! lol Its best to take out the hay, as if it get wet/damp from the water bowl or weeing on it, it will grow mould spores which can give him a respiratory infection.  Sand and soil bed is perfect!

Regards Vivienne

Just to let you know, Trevor is loving his new home now, think he just needed to settle in.  He has been out on the lawn this morning for the first time, We were sitting right next to him as we have very large birds around.  I usually put him out in his cage as he is soo tiny but he had a fab time exploring his freedom.  Must seem like a jungle to him, even though I only cut the grass yesterday!  We wake him up with a bath every morning and he sticks his head right under the water, then he goes outside from about 10.30 till 4 he usually has put himself to bed by then so we bring him in.   With all that time outdoors at the moment does he still need his UVB lamp on when he comes back in, He hides in his house till morning.

Kerry and Trevor

Hi Kerry,

I would tend to offer it and see what happens. You'll probably find he'll take himself off to bed anyway:-) The best rule of thumb is let the tortoise decide:-)

HTH
Darren