Seattle is generally known for pretty decent air quality. In fact, it isn't something we really worry about on a day to day basis. This wildfire season, however, is different.
We've always relied on our instincts with regard to the decision to leave torts outside or bring them in. However, with the latest smoke event, several local tort keepers broached us seeking concrete answers on when this should happen. We searched for research data which might provide a clue as to how tortoises (primarily the testudo species) dealt with the affects of wildfire smoke, and found nothing. This said, a couple well-known breeders, were able to help establish a more definitive guideline for our animals: Hatchlings, Yearlings and Sub-Adults should not be outside during the smoke-events. Adults can be outside as long as you feel fine in the same air. Once you start to choke, cough or feel the effects of poor air quality, or if you can taste the air, your tortoises would likely appreciate coming inside, as well. You can also use internet based tools, like the map above, to help you make the best decisions for your shelled family. WWW.airnow.gov has up to date color-coded maps depicting current air quality. These can be refined by zipcode. Thanks to Katie Griffing-Bradley and Bobbye Zee for their insight last night!
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The Tort Resort is located atop a large hill, in Seattle. With our stormy weather, we're often asked what to do when the power is out. The key is to prepare early! Above is a photo of one of our emergency bin set-ups. With so many torts, we use rolling plastic stacking drawers. (Some people use an actual dresser, others use a simple lidded cardboard box. Use what works best for you and your situation.) Each drawer is labelled with the torts name and contains a clean small towel remnant (half of a bath towel is fine), a handtowel for burrowing, and a sock with a Uniheat Heat Pack. The packs to the left will stay warm for 36 hours or so, though heat packs range from 12-72 hours. Unwrap the heat pack and activate it per the instructions. Place it in a sock and zip tie the sock closed (like a sausage). You can always add more heat packs if needed. Tuck your tort into its individual drawer and close it, leaving just enough of a crack for ventilation. Remember... heat decreases oxygen, so you want enough of a gap for new air to flow in, but not enough that it keeps the heat packs from working. Wrap three sides of the cabinet, box, drawer-stack in a heavy quilt or blanket for added insulation. Check on your tort every so often, taking care not to fully open the drawer. Oliver, above, clearly escaped his drawer. If I hadn't caught him, he might have perished. (The house was 38 degrees over a period of 14 hours during this outage.) When the power is restored, be sure to launder and sanitize your towels and replenish your drawers. PRO TIP: Keep all your supplies ready with extra heat packs on hand. You never know when the next power outage will happen, or how long before your utility will take to get you up and running again! |
AuthorThe Tort Resort is a Whidbey Island based project dedicated to rescue and rehab of smaller tortoise species. Archives
June 2021
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