Coldframe / Cloche experiment for you

[Tortoise Trust]

Here is your chance to contribute to some work we are doing on housing/heating for colder climates.

You will need:

1) A coldframe or cloche type outdoor enclosure.
2) An infra-red non contact thermometer.
3) A general purpose air temperature thermometer.

Methodology:

The object is to get some paired readings. We need:

1. Ambient (outdoor) air temperature
2. Ambient air temperature inside the unit
3. Carapace temperature (top of shell) with IR spot thermometer
4. Plastron temperature (bottom of shell) with IR spot thermometer

Several sets of measurements in a wide range of weather conditions are needed from each contributor.

It would also be useful if you could post a photo of the unit (and your results) in this thread.

[Stuart]

Carapace and plastron temperatures of the tortoises when inside the coldframe/cloche (and if so, for how long would they need to have been there for a valid reading?) or just generally, ie in or out of the unit immaterial (because if they're above the ambient the assumption would be that at some point, even if unobserved, they must have been benefiting from the availablity of warmer air in the unit?) [ but might they not have got themselves above the ambient by normal basking outwith the unit....?]

Stuart

[Tortoise Trust]

Should have made that clear... carapace/plastron measurements to be taken inside the unit after basking or during normal activity.

[Jonesy]

This sounds fun. I am of next week so will have a go or you.
thanks

[Stuart]

This sounds fun. I am off next week

Yeah, I'm up for this too.

Excellent combination really: Easter holidays from school ; lots of tortoises; possibility of sunshine (?); infra-red thermometer; cloche.

What more could a person ask for?

[Tortoise Trust]

This will be very useful as we are currently looking at this whole lamp/heating thing and some comparative data from 'coldframe' type housing from a northern climate is exactly what we need.

[Matthew_Cox]

Hi Andy,
I am very excited to be a part of such research. I will definitely provide input, though it will be a month or so before the outdoor enclosure and I can afford a IR spot thermometer. Providing this isn't too late? Please, if possible, suggest which IR spot thermometer you would recommend, not too pricey, yet accurate. Any in particular? Looking forward to making a contribution
Thanks!
Matthew Cox

[Tortoise Trust]

Matthew,

We found the ones from MAPLIN to be excellent value:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/infrared-thermo ... ing-223005

http://www.maplin.co.uk/pocket-infrared ... ter-220790

(Ignore review comments that criticise for not accurately recording shiny metal surfaces. You have to use specially calibrated devices for that. Not relevant in tortoise studies)

[Matthew_Cox]

Awesome.
Really looking forward to it
Many thanks!!

Matthew Cox

[Elaine]

I have used the first one for a few years now and due to this now have endless spots of wood, slabs, concrete and plastic bottles tied together in a tunnel type set up. You'll be amazed at the difference in temps and also amazed at just how each individual tortoise will quickly find the the right spot that suits.
I will also do this once builders have left.

Elaine