Outdoor enclosure cover?

krbeams

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Sep 30, 2013
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Hello! My husband and I just had a stone patio built and added in an enclosure for Desmond. Picture below. We've got a fenced in back yard, but I wasn't sure if we needed to put chicken wire or something over the top to keep out birds. What do you think? Is he okay to stay outside when it rains? There are several caves for him.Thanks for your help and advice! We will be planting some lettuces soon. This was just finished yesterday.

ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1438355764.814334.jpg
 

RockChalk

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Kansas City
I need to follow this thread because I'm about to get a permanent enclosure outside, too. I have a 7 foot wooden fence but am unsure about critters that can get over/under a fence like squirrels, raccoons, snakes, cats, and birds. Mine looks like she's about the same size as yours. She's about 3.5 inches right now.
 

Tom

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In some cases a cover is not necessary. In ALL cases a cover does make it safer and more secure. Everyone has to decide for themselves what their level of risk is and whether they are comfortable with the level of risk. My russians are contained in a giant outdoor cage made of welded wire sunk 18" into the ground. They are not getting out and nothing except a determined human is getting in.

About the lettuce... Not the best food for a russian. They need the high fiber and high calcium content of weeds and leaves. Here is a list of some suggestions:
Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

Other good stuff:
"Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes
Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html
Homegrown alfalfa
Mazuri Tortoise Chow
ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food
 

Blakem

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I've never used a cover for my Russian tortoise area. I live in central California and the only real predators in my area are possum and raccoons. I bring my Russian in at night just to be safe though.
 

Jodie

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Spokane Valley WA
I don't cover my Russians enclosure. They are all adult size, and have a locked box for night. I do keep a cover on my hatchlings enclosure though.
 

krbeams

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Sep 30, 2013
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Thanks, all. This is very helpful! I just bought a seed mix. What kinds of predators generally go after torts? Desmond is a seven or so year old adult. We only have squirrels in our back yard and some small birds.
 
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