Housing a 100lb Sulcata

[emysemys]

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Stacked-up cinder blocks work ok for the first 15 years or so of a sulcata's life, but when he starts getting too big, he demolishes that type of house in no time at all. So for this reason and because I'm trying to cut down on my electric bill this winter, I have built Dudley a new house. Here's what the original cinderblock house looked like:



It was just cinder blocks stacked on top of each other, lined with the 4'x8'sheets of styrofoam (cut to fit) and lined again with 1/4" plywood to protect the styrofoam. After about 10 years, Dudley started tearing down the house and so I started demolition:



I put cement blocks down for the under-layment, then a sheet of 1/2" plywood:



I wasn't thinking clearly, and forgot to lay down the rubber stall mat before I started framing, so I had to cut the mat to fit:



More framing pictures:







A shot of the inside of one side:





The program only allows 10 images per email, so I'll continue the thread in another email.

Yvonne

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Finishing touches and adding the roof:





And as soon as I took down the barricade, Dudley had to come right in and check it out:





All that's left is clean-up and tearing down the other cinderblock house. But that's a job for the cooler weather, right Scarlett?

Yvonne

Yvonne G.

[emysemys]

I forgot to mention that the lids/roof of each side open independently of each other and are attached to a narrow strip at the back by piano hinges, which distribute the weight over the whole back edge.

Yvonne

[Isa]

Very nice enclosure Yvonne.
You did a really good job, Dudley must be all happy in his new duplex .
Where you live, what is the coldest temperature you can have during the winter?

[emysemys]

The nights get down to freezing almost every night. Some nights it gets down into the 20's but that's rare, mostly 30's. The pig blankets and black light bulbs have kept my tortoises warm for about 12 years now.

Yvonne

[Isa]

What a good idea. I would do that if there were not that much snow here in winter.

[Laura]

Does he have access to both sides? Or just one at a time?

[Chucky]

Nice job. I need to build something like that also but for 8 Sulcatas. What is the daytime temps in the winters? My winter nights can easily get into the 20's but usually in the low 30's but my concern is during the day when it may only get up to 40F if we're lucky. I don't believe that it would be a good idea to let them outside then.

[Coldliz]

Very nice job!

[maggie3fan]

(10-19-2008 05:00 AM)Chucky Wrote:  Nice job. I need to build something like that also but for 8 Sulcatas. What is the daytime temps in the winters? My winter nights can easily get into the 20's but usually in the low 30's but my concern is during the day when it may only get up to 40F if we're lucky. I don't believe that it would be a good idea to let them outside then.

That depends how big your tortoises are. I keep mine in a heated shed with a doggie door and my Bob goes outside everyday.
I live in the frozen Northwest and Bob goes out no matter the outside temp. I have pictures of him trying to graze thru the snow. When he gets cold he goes back in and I see him doing that all day...in and out.
Tony is only 3 so I hadn't allowed him out in the really cold yet, but I will this year and see if Bob can teach Tony to go back in when he gets cold.
Personally, I think what you need with 8 Sulcata is a psychiatrist...lol
just teasin...

[emysemys]

(10-18-2008 08:20 PM)Laura Wrote:  Does he have access to both sides? Or just one at a time?

Dudley's pasture is divided up into three sections. The idea of it is that two of the sections are watered and growing while he is on the third section. Once a week he's supposed to be rotated to the next section. Problem is, once you've allowed a sulcata to "know" that there is a world on the other side of the fence, you can't keep him out of that world. He breaks down the fence. So to answer your question, no, he only has access to one side at a time, that is, unless he has broken down the fence between the two sides!

Yvonne

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(10-19-2008 05:00 AM)Chucky Wrote:  Nice job. I need to build something like that also but for 8 Sulcatas. What is the daytime temps in the winters? My winter nights can easily get into the 20's but usually in the low 30's but my concern is during the day when it may only get up to 40F if we're lucky. I don't believe that it would be a good idea to let them outside then.

The only time I block Dudley's door shut is at night. He can come out anytime during the day he wants to...no matter what the weather. We had snow one time and Dudley was out there with snow on his back. When he gets cold he goes back in on his own. Our normal daytime weather is usually in the 50's, but sometimes the 40's.

Yvonne

[Jas2Cats]

Yvonne, Dudley's new house looks great~! Did you use any sort of sealant on the interior? I'm in the process of building my shed for my Leo's (looks very similar to Dudley's) and, am not sure if/what I should use.

Thanks~!

[emysemys]

(10-20-2008 08:44 AM)Jas2Cats Wrote:  Yvonne, Dudley's new house looks great~! Did you use any sort of sealant on the interior? I'm in the process of building my shed for my Leo's (looks very similar to Dudley's) and, am not sure if/what I should use.

Thanks~!

I had a gallon of Thompson's water seal in my cart when I "accosted" a clerk to ask him for ideas on closing the door to the shed at night. He saw my gallon and said it wouldn't be a good idea to use that inside because the fumes last for a very long time. So, no, I didn't do any sealing of the wood on the inside. However, I did put a bead of silicone sealer on all the seams and between the floor and the walls.

Yvonne

[Jas2Cats]

(10-20-2008 09:37 AM)emysemys Wrote:  

(10-20-2008 08:44 AM)Jas2Cats Wrote:  Yvonne, Dudley's new house looks great~! Did you use any sort of sealant on the interior? I'm in the process of building my shed for my Leo's (looks very similar to Dudley's) and, am not sure if/what I should use.

Thanks~!

I had a gallon of Thompson's water seal in my cart when I "accosted" a clerk to ask him for ideas on closing the door to the shed at night. He saw my gallon and said it wouldn't be a good idea to use that inside because the fumes last for a very long time. So, no, I didn't do any sealing of the wood on the inside. However, I did put a bead of silicone sealer on all the seams and between the floor and the walls.

Yvonne

Thanks Yvonne~!

[katesgoey]

Great job Yvonne! Everytime my husband and I see pictures of your sulcatas enclosures we are again tempted to provide a home for one - your latest pics are no exception.

[maggie3fan]

(10-20-2008 01:43 PM)katesgoey Wrote:  Great job Yvonne! Everytime my husband and I see pictures of your sulcatas enclosures we are again tempted to provide a home for one - your latest pics are no exception.

You need to get a Sulcata. I think they have the best personalities of any chelonia. Some people say Russians have more personality but I have a Russian and I don't see any personality in her. But Bob, my 14 yr old Sulcata, is a clown and has more personality and causes more trouble then any delinquent teenager. He cracks me up with his antics. I can't ever go into his shed that he doesn't do something to make me laugh. I have 27 turtles and tortoises and my Sulcata are the most out-going
That's a picture of Bob next to my name...