A little experiment
 

Recently, with my red foot I have not been using my heat lamp. The temps don't get too low and he seems to actually be more active and using the whole enclosure. Obviously he still gets UVB. But it's a well known fact that torts do fine outside over 15 degrees for most species, a little higher or lower for some, and outside they wouldn't have a heat lamp would they or a much of a temperature gradient? I don't know whether anyone else has tried this, but just interested to see feedback

what the question? :|
do people keep them outside? or have other people turned off the heat lamps?

are redfoots not more tropical jungle types, therefore in nature would not see direct sun as much as others like Med or african types? and therefore more accustomed to one constant temp...

I could be wrong as I don't know much about redfoots

Yeah, your right. However nearly everyone keeps them with heat lamps. Just wondering whether anyone has tried this with other species?

Hmm seems like you could be right and for some it could be better, but it would most likely not be as good for the likes of Med and African species who should see direct sunlight and therefore would naturally hunt out a basking area, but would be ok for tropical jungle type species who may not see much sun naturally...

but that is all speculation on my part...

Yes, however a UVB light still produces some heat and as long as there are shady spots, you'd be creating the same affect. Do you think there's a 5 to 10 degrees heat gradient outside between spots, I think not. It is just my opinion of course but I think it should be given further research.

yeah there will be temp gradients outside, its called shade, it even happens in the UK! so just UVB light/little bit of heat would not be a sufficient temp difference. but its more than just shade its hiding in long grass/bushy plants for cool or burying themselves.

I still think for Med and African species they would need a basking area, yes the Redfoots and other tropical/jungle types don't but other species do!

I'm not disagreeing that Med, desert and African(minus some hingebacks and a few others) should have a heat lamp, I just think it would worth having a study looking into it. I'll use my heat lamp in winter anyway probably. I did mention shade earlier on in the post, not that it's needed for us in the current weather! LOL!