Yeah those would be easy to add - a saucer with water, screen and partial shade area. They are still a baby so pretty big for awhile.As long as it's big enough. Exercise is a must, along with shade and a water dish.
There needs to be a visual barrier around the bottom.Using a fire-pit ring over greens outside for when taking babies to get some sun. Also going to add some sort of screen and cover a portion to provide a shade escape.
Not sure what you mean by needs a visual barrier. The ring is metal around the bottom.There needs to be a visual barrier around the bottom.
They should not be able to see out. Something solid and opaque all around the entire bottom. Many tortoises will injure themselves trying to poke their head through and/or push through when they can see through. They also tend to rub off leg scales and get rub sores on their snouts and skin from continually pushing and trying to get to the "greener grass" they can see just out of their reach.Not sure what you mean by needs a visual barrier. The ring is metal around the bottom.
They should not be able to see out. Something solid and opaque all around the entire bottom. Many tortoises will injure themselves trying to poke their head through and/or push through when they can see through. They also tend to rub off leg scales and get rub sores on their snouts and skin from continually pushing and trying to get to the "greener grass" they can see just out of their reach.
Like this, for example:
View attachment 351595
That recommendation might work for some tortoises but actually be worse for others. Mine for example, finds any barrier (like the wood in the picture you have above, plastic kiddie pool, Home Depot mixing tubs, etc.) a challenge to take on if he can’t see out. He will bash his nose and spend all his time struggling against it. This ring has metal all around the very bottom and then fine metal screen (way too small for a baby tortoise head or even a fly to get through) around the criss-cross border. So because he has a partial way to look out, he ignores the barrier and spends his time on exercise, sunlight and greens.
You go from not knowing what a visual barrier is to telling me how tortoise behavior works? Roger that. Carry on, and good luck to you.That recommendation might work for some tortoises but actually be worse for others. Mine for example, finds any barrier (like the wood in the picture you have above, plastic kiddie pool, Home Depot mixing tubs, etc.) a challenge to take on if he can’t see out. He will bash his nose and spend all his time struggling against it. This ring has metal all around the very bottom and then fine metal screen (way too small for a baby tortoise head or even a fly to get through) around the criss-cross border. So because he has a partial way to look out, he ignores the barrier and spends his time on exercise, sunlight and greens.
Also I thought you or another member had mentioned that having a clear enclosure was fine because didn’t have any problems with tortoises banging on them if they could see out? So would an indoor enclosed pvc unit with a clear side also need to be covered? Again I would say it depends on the tortoise, if seeing out is a problem for them.
Regarding the outside barrier, you will have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. Tom's trying to save you from the dangers/risks based on the cons he's either seen others go through or experienced himself first hand. Ultimately, you'll do what you want to.That recommendation might work for some tortoises but actually be worse for others.
I have housed leopard tortoises indoors inside of glass tanks and solid sided totes. I never dealt with pacing issues, banging, climbing/flipping in either style. Although, I've always been a huge advocate for well decorated spaces with lots of plants, rocks and sight barriers and I think that contributed greatly.Also I thought you or another member had mentioned that having a clear enclosure was fine because didn’t have any problems with tortoises banging on them if they could see out?
No I wanted some clarification on what your definition of a visual barrier is and why it would be necessary. It’s confusing to me to hear that it is needed but then I also read that with an enclosed glass/acrylic/pvc enclosed chamber like animal plastics where they can see out no blocking barrier is needed?? Also there is a tortoise eye-level barrier around this pen at the bottom already. They would have to climb up to see over it and even then the view is partial. So were you saying I would need more of a barrier (a certain height???) because that wasn’t clear.You go from not knowing what a visual barrier is to telling me how tortoise behavior works? Roger that. Carry on, and good luck to you.