All shade is not equal. Amazingly, there are four degrees of light.
You might be asking why deep shade is important to a tortoise. After all, tortoises are arid desert type animals, aren't they? This is where it gets tricky... since they are reptiles, their body temperature is regulated by environment. In the wild, torts have the ability to dig deep into burrows to regulate their temperature. If the temps are too warm and there is no means for escape from the sun your tortoise can fall victim to heatstroke. To prevent this, let's give you some ideas on how to create 'deep shade.' Deep shade is created with layers. Think about forests for a moment. The tall trees provide shade, under-stories provide a second layer, ferns and smaller shade plants, create more shade and mosses, etc. all reap the benefits of such restricted sunlight. The same is true of your tortoise, who will need the ability to dig down at least several inches to nestle into cool substrate. Here are some examples of creating deep shade in your enclosure:
The important thing is to keep your tortoises safe by creating some deep shade!
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AuthorThe Tort Resort is a Whidbey Island based project dedicated to rescue and rehab of smaller tortoise species. Archives
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