In continuing the plans for my outdoor enclosure, I have a question about safety barriers because we have problems with rats, raccoons and the occasional coyote. (btw, my tortoise is a 5-inch long Hermann's).
I am currently planning a 7 x 8 x 8 COMPLETELY enclosed "shed" using 1/4 inch hardware cloth instead of plywood for the walls and roof. There will be a 4-6 inch tall plywood sight-barrier at ground level.
Since Hermann's are a burrowing species, I was planning on digging at least 1 foot down throughout the enclosure, lining it with more hardware cloth, then back-filling the dirt so I can plant the enclosure pretty heavily.
Question: If a small tort like a Hermann's is digging and hits the wire of the hardware cloth, is she likely to tear off a nail or cut her foot? Would it be better to line the subterranean part of her enclosure with something like cinderblocks? Also, I think hardware cloth is zinc-coated: I assume that's no problem re toxicity for torts?
Another reason I was originally thinking of hardware cloth for the bottom is because we get a lot of rain here in south Louisiana and I want to make sure her enclosure drains well.
I am currently planning a 7 x 8 x 8 COMPLETELY enclosed "shed" using 1/4 inch hardware cloth instead of plywood for the walls and roof. There will be a 4-6 inch tall plywood sight-barrier at ground level.
Since Hermann's are a burrowing species, I was planning on digging at least 1 foot down throughout the enclosure, lining it with more hardware cloth, then back-filling the dirt so I can plant the enclosure pretty heavily.
Question: If a small tort like a Hermann's is digging and hits the wire of the hardware cloth, is she likely to tear off a nail or cut her foot? Would it be better to line the subterranean part of her enclosure with something like cinderblocks? Also, I think hardware cloth is zinc-coated: I assume that's no problem re toxicity for torts?
Another reason I was originally thinking of hardware cloth for the bottom is because we get a lot of rain here in south Louisiana and I want to make sure her enclosure drains well.