Outdoor enclosure question...

[dannylozano10]

Hey all I am getting a Russian tort next month and I am preparing my outdoor enclosure already but I'm kinda stuck I have no clue what I should put in there for a hide(and how many) and also what should I put for like a climbing thing for him/her? I am planning on putting terra Cotta saucers for food/water so that should be good oh and what is the best digital thermometer for the beverage fridge I'm gonna hibernate him in? And what is the best scale?

Thanks

 

[hingeback]

How big is the enclosure. How many hides is optional. I use a few blocks to make a tunnel and add earth to make into a hill hide, so mine can hide under and climb above. I have two hides in my enclosure. Good luck

 

[dannylozano10]

How big is the enclosure. How many hides is optional. I use a few blocks to make a tunnel and add earth to make into a hill hide, so mine can hide under and climb above. I have two hides in my enclosure. Good luck

It is a 8x7 oh ok thank you

 

[dannylozano10]

How big is the enclosure. How many hides is optional. I use a few blocks to make a tunnel and add earth to make into a hill hide, so mine can hide under and climb above. I have two hides in my enclosure. Good luck

May I see pictures to get an idea? Please

 

[dmmj]

you actually want to discourage climbing don't put anything in there 4 encouragement

 

[dannylozano10]

you actually want to discourage climbing don't put anything in there 4 encouragement

Oh Wow thanks for the advice!! Didn't think it was a bad thing for them to climb.

 

[dmmj]

well it's bad in the sense that they're not supposed to climb they can and do climb often but when they climb it raises the risk of falling over onto their back if they can't turn themselves back over they could die so I just don't risk it.

 

[dannylozano10]

well it's bad in the sense that they're not supposed to climb they can and do climb often but when they climb it raises the risk of falling over onto their back if they can't turn themselves back over they could die so I just don't risk it.

That's very true. Well should I just burry a pot?

 

[Lyn W]

oh and what is the best digital thermometer for the beverage fridge I'm gonna hibernate him in? And what is the best scale?

Are you thinking of hibernating now? Or are you getting ready for next winter?

If the former isn't it a bit late to hibernate him now?
I have seen it recommended that torts are not hibernated the first year and maybe not until they are a certain age just so you can make sure they are healthy enough to survive it. I may be wrong on the last bit but if you use the search facility you'll find more info on that.

 

[dmmj]

yes a buried pot makes a very nice hide. use several if possible

 

[dannylozano10]

Are you thinking of hibernating now? Or are you getting ready for next winter?

If the former isn't it a bit late to hibernate him now?
I have seen it recommended that torts are not hibernated the first year and maybe not until they are a certain age just so you can make sure they are healthy enough to survive it. I may be wrong on the last bit but if you use the search facility you'll find more info on that.

Hey Lyn I am buying one from @Tom and he is gubernatorial it already so I'm guessing it's safe enough

 

[dannylozano10]

yes a buried pot makes a very nice hide. use several if possible

Oh ok will do thank you

 

[Lyn W]

Hey Lyn I am buying one from @Tom and he is gubernatorial it already so I'm guessing it's safe enough

Ah well @Tom certainly knows what he's talking about! He'll be the best to advise on that.
Apologies for jumping in.

 

[dannylozano10]

Ah well @Tom certainly knows what he's talking about! He'll be the best to advise on that.
Apologies for jumping in.

No need to apologize you also did teach me something I didn't know so I should thank you lol

 

[Lyn W]

No need to apologize you also did teach me something I didn't know so I should thank you lol

Thanks - only what I've learned here by reading the forums. I never dreamed there was so much to think of and learn when keeping a tort before I took in my leopard. Thank goodness for TTF!!

 

[dannylozano10]

Thanks - only what I've learned here by reading the forums. I never dreamed there was so much to think of and learn when keeping a tort before I took in my leopard. Thank goodness for TTF!!

You got that right!!!

 

[dannylozano10]

I'm planning on getting these:

2...8' saucers for food/water



And these 10' height pots for a hide

 

[Gillian M]

Oh Wow thanks for the advice!! Didn't think it was a bad thing for them to climb.

Oh yes, it's not only bad, it could also be very dangerous. So take care please.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

beverage fridge I'm gonna hibernate him in?

Most refrigerators in today's world are of the type that dehydrate items not sealed in them. You know, a piece of bread dries out in 12-36 hours or so and this would be very bad for a tortoise. You don't want to disturb a hibernating tortoise to give it water, so you must make sure you have the proper equipment beforehand. I'm not sure of any brand name, but somewhere I seem to remember the older refrigerators where not of this design, (frost free).

 

[dannylozano10]

Most refrigerators in today's world are of the type that dehydrate items not sealed in them. You know, a piece of bread dries out in 12-36 hours or so and this would be very bad for a tortoise. You don't want to disturb a hibernating tortoise to give it water, so you must make sure you have the proper equipment beforehand. I'm not sure of any brand name, but somewhere I seem to remember the older refrigerators where not of this design, (frost free).

Ok so my mini fridge won't work?what fridge do you prefer?