Hello from Sunny Florida,
In December '13, picked up a pair of mature Hermann's Tortoises at large-chain pet store for $70 each. They're about 6" long, both males.
HAD to get them. They're very healthy, and they're so easy to care for.
I'd been researching tortoises for years and knew Hermann's would be a great fit in our climate and was happy to find them.
My son wanted to build them an outdoor enclosure, so we set to work on more research and built a lidded 4'x3' pen. Nylon grid-screen on bottom sunk into ground for drainage and dig-out prevention. These two don't dig very deeply at all though. Researched all plants suitable for eating and planted them.
Son then suggested another pen, with a tunnel to connect them (!) So we built that too.
The whole thing has been painted the gray-green since these photos have been taken.
Actually the gaps have been closed up too…
Each 'lid' has a vinyl sheet over one-third area to keep it a bit drier. There is a half hollow log to shelter under and shallow dishes of water to soak in as well.
The tunnel has a hinged lid so we can get access to them if they're hiding in there. We bring them in every eve to avoid raccoons.
The two don't much eat on the plants they supposedly like, but that's ok. They get their daily greens and adore the hibiscus buds we grow in the garden beyond.
In December '13, picked up a pair of mature Hermann's Tortoises at large-chain pet store for $70 each. They're about 6" long, both males.
HAD to get them. They're very healthy, and they're so easy to care for.
I'd been researching tortoises for years and knew Hermann's would be a great fit in our climate and was happy to find them.
My son wanted to build them an outdoor enclosure, so we set to work on more research and built a lidded 4'x3' pen. Nylon grid-screen on bottom sunk into ground for drainage and dig-out prevention. These two don't dig very deeply at all though. Researched all plants suitable for eating and planted them.
Son then suggested another pen, with a tunnel to connect them (!) So we built that too.
The whole thing has been painted the gray-green since these photos have been taken.
Actually the gaps have been closed up too…
Each 'lid' has a vinyl sheet over one-third area to keep it a bit drier. There is a half hollow log to shelter under and shallow dishes of water to soak in as well.
The tunnel has a hinged lid so we can get access to them if they're hiding in there. We bring them in every eve to avoid raccoons.
The two don't much eat on the plants they supposedly like, but that's ok. They get their daily greens and adore the hibiscus buds we grow in the garden beyond.
