Outdoor tortoise enclosure

RockyTheRussian

New Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Messages
22
So right now my Russian tortoise is living in an indoor enclosure but I think it's about time we move him to an outdoor enclosure until it starts to get cold again. We live in AZ so it's pretty hot. I was just wondering if you guys could give me any tips to housing a tortoise outside. What substrate do I use? Do you need any lamps? Do you need to keep him in a shaded spot or sunny spot? Ect. Thanks guys!
 

theguy67

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
583
You don't need any lamps, unless you make a night box, then you could add a CHE, or other heat source for cold nights.

Being in Arizona, heat may be an issue but one I'm sure you can work around. I'm not familiar with Russians, but a sprinkler system may be beneficial to cool the enclosure during the hottest parts of the day. Even if it was a mist for 2 minutes, this can help a lot.

Shade will be important too, so artificial burrows (hides burried under a few inches of dirt), shade cloths, and plants are all great options.
 

RockyTheRussian

New Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Messages
22
You don't need any lamps, unless you make a night box, then you could add a CHE, or other heat source for cold nights.

Being in Arizona, heat may be an issue but one I'm sure you can work around. I'm not familiar with Russians, but a sprinkler system may be beneficial to cool the enclosure during the hottest parts of the day. Even if it was a mist for 2 minutes, this can help a lot.

Shade will be important too, so artificial burrows (hides burried under a few inches of dirt), shade cloths, and plants are all great options.


Ok thank you. And for the dirt, would I just put it over the grass in the cage or does there need to be a bottom for the cage to keep dirt in?
 

theguy67

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
583
Ok thank you. And for the dirt, would I just put it over the grass in the cage or does there need to be a bottom for the cage to keep dirt in?

I've seen it done both ways. In my adult tortoise pen, I prefer for them to have access to the ground, in case they wish to dig (some) or nest. Maybe consider improving your soil by adding top soil or organic material.
 

MrMarg&me

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2017
Messages
258
Location (City and/or State)
Temecula California
I have guinea pigs that spend nice afternoons in an outdoor enclosure. The ground is covered with hay. When the hay has composted a bit I rake it out and use it to mix in with a section of soil in my box turtles outdoor enclosure. The turtles enjoy digging and basking on the resulting pliable soil.
 

RockyTheRussian

New Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Messages
22
Hey guys! So I haven't started on the enclosure yet but I am going to have no bottom of the cage. So he will have access to the grass and I will also pour some dirt in for him to burrow. Since I live in AZ we have lots of scorpions. Will that be an issue to my tortoises safety? Can they get in the cage and sting him? Thx
 

theguy67

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
583
Hey guys! So I haven't started on the enclosure yet but I am going to have no bottom of the cage. So he will have access to the grass and I will also pour some dirt in for him to burrow. Since I live in AZ we have lots of scorpions. Will that be an issue to my tortoises safety? Can they get in the cage and sting him? Thx

That's a good question. I've never had issues with scorpions (that I know of), although there aren't that many around here. I primarily worry about fire ants.
 

Beasty_Artemis

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Aug 23, 2016
Messages
1,230
Location (City and/or State)
Oregon Coast
I'm not too familiar with the diet of russians.... But I've seen a few videos where small animals chow down on poor little scorpions! Im not so sure a scorpion would survive exploring a red foot enclosure. Are there any actual poisonous species in your area? Most varieties I'm familiar with are harmless, just big and intimidating. But I'm on the west coast.
I would totally agree totally about the fire ants. Those are dangerous for a tort.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,388
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
When you use the word "cage" I'm picturing something too small for an adult Russian tortoise. You can put together something bigger using cinderblocks, old scrap lumber, anything you can find. They need a lot of room. Here's an example, but for a Russian you'd probably have to go two high:

c0cf835517f489a7017b9ebdb3b6e8e6.jpg


1d2b95f3678c7c98557d6e2f48cb80b9--tortoise-cage-tortoise-habitat.jpg


e6d7de455b3d09dedec0a9b84a8e9722--pallet-furniture-designs-pallet-designs.jpg


1d9f163d3f9bdfed2a327b79bc001073--outdoor-tortoise-enclosure-turtle-enclosure.jpg


A few examples of easy-to-build outdoor habitats.
 

RockyTheRussian

New Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Messages
22
I'm not too familiar with the diet of russians.... But I've seen a few videos where small animals chow down on poor little scorpions! Im not so sure a scorpion would survive exploring a red foot enclosure. Are there any actual poisonous species in your area? Most varieties I'm familiar with are harmless, just big and intimidating. But I'm on the west coast.
I would totally agree totally about the fire ants. Those are dangerous for a tort.


Yes I live on the west coast so scorpions are poisnenous. I totally forgot about red ants as well. What should I do about that? Do u think it would just be best to keep him indoors or maybe just have an outdoor cage that is enclosed?
 

RockyTheRussian

New Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Messages
22
When you use the word "cage" I'm picturing something too small for an adult Russian tortoise. You can put together something bigger using cinderblocks, old scrap lumber, anything you can find. They need a lot of room. Here's an example, but for a Russian you'd probably have to go two high:

c0cf835517f489a7017b9ebdb3b6e8e6.jpg


1d2b95f3678c7c98557d6e2f48cb80b9--tortoise-cage-tortoise-habitat.jpg


e6d7de455b3d09dedec0a9b84a8e9722--pallet-furniture-designs-pallet-designs.jpg


1d9f163d3f9bdfed2a327b79bc001073--outdoor-tortoise-enclosure-turtle-enclosure.jpg


A few examples of easy-to-build outdoor habitats.


I sorry yeah I meant like an enclosure type thing not a cage. We have a nice space outside for him (9 by 6 feet long).
 

RockyTheRussian

New Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Messages
22
When you use the word "cage" I'm picturing something too small for an adult Russian tortoise. You can put together something bigger using cinderblocks, old scrap lumber, anything you can find. They need a lot of room. Here's an example, but for a Russian you'd probably have to go two high:

c0cf835517f489a7017b9ebdb3b6e8e6.jpg


1d2b95f3678c7c98557d6e2f48cb80b9--tortoise-cage-tortoise-habitat.jpg


e6d7de455b3d09dedec0a9b84a8e9722--pallet-furniture-designs-pallet-designs.jpg


1d9f163d3f9bdfed2a327b79bc001073--outdoor-tortoise-enclosure-turtle-enclosure.jpg


A few examples of easy-to-build outdoor habitats.


Also in oat of those pics they just so have grass. Don't tortoises need dirt in their habitat to dig?
 
Top