Outside tortoise heated area

[beccabobbins]

Hello,
I have a 20 year old (ish) Mediterranean spur thighed tortoise named Mr.T. He currently has a large tortoise table on wheels which I can wheel outside on warm days or leave indoors on cooler days.
I'd like to make Mr.T an outdoor tortoise so he can choose when he wants to be in/out. I have a large courtyard area which I plan on converting into a tortoise zone! I can put a little shed next to the house and drill through to supply electricity. What would be the best material for a shed? I thought about buying a wooden chicken coop or building a shed from breeze blocks. What sort of heating is best? I guess I'd need a thermostat too. I also thought I'd get a separate cold frame. I have a blank canvas and I'd really appreciate any advice on getting the ideal setup. I am in the southwest, UK.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
Depending on your building ambitions, there are few options:
1. Probably, the easiest option: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-accommodation-in-a-colder-uk-climate.140866/
2. This one requires more efforts, but provides better insulation and highlights better heating options. This could be an overkill, as you likely brumate (hibernate) your tortoise in the winter:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

3. Large conservatory/greenhouse type outdoor pens. They can provide outdoor experience almost all year round, but perhaps an overkill for brumating species. I'll provide the link just in case: https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/climateframe.html

 

[Tom]

Hello,
I have a 20 year old (ish) Mediterranean spur thighed tortoise named Mr.T. He currently has a large tortoise table on wheels which I can wheel outside on warm days or leave indoors on cooler days.
I'd like to make Mr.T an outdoor tortoise so he can choose when he wants to be in/out. I have a large courtyard area which I plan on converting into a tortoise zone! I can put a little shed next to the house and drill through to supply electricity. What would be the best material for a shed? I thought about buying a wooden chicken coop or building a shed from breeze blocks. What sort of heating is best? I guess I'd need a thermostat too. I also thought I'd get a separate cold frame. I have a blank canvas and I'd really appreciate any advice on getting the ideal setup. I am in the southwest, UK.

In this thread I explain and show pictures of how best to accomplish this:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Lots of good info for you there, but if you scroll down to the part about outdoor housing for adults, you'll find the answers you are looking for.