Summer preparations-Tips VERY welcome!

[Yvonne G]

Are the walls going to be tall enough once you get the substrate in there? I love your idea.

 

[spud's_mum]

And it kills your fingers when you only pry up one side and the other is still embedded.

Yep!
I have done most of them, got 2 more sides to do but I will have to do them tomorrow because it is freezing cold out there!

 

[spud's_mum]

Are the walls going to be tall enough once you get the substrate in there? I love your idea.

Yeah, we are going to make them taller.
Not sure how tall to go though as I have to put mesh over the top. How tall are your sides?

 

[Yvonne G]

Most of my habitats are outside in regular yards with fences. I use three corral boards horizontally and they're 5.5" wide, so the fence ends up being about 16.5 inches tall.

 

[spud's_mum]

Most of my habitats are outside in regular yards with fences. I use three corral boards horizontally and they're 5.5" wide, so the fence ends up being about 16.5 inches tall.

Thank you

 

[DPtortiose]

My dad was sorting the garden and said that he wanted to do something with the large planting area. I suggested a tortoise enclosure but the trouble is, there is wisteria, a pine tree and ivy surrounding it, all of which I think are poisonous. -_-

On a side note, tortoise tend to know what's poisonous pretty well on their own. While it certainly not recommended to grow poisonous plants inside an enclosure, most animals simply don't eat dangerous plants. Plants high in certain toxins often taste pretty horrible as well, serving as a defensive mechanism against predation. Although wild tortoises do seem to consume toxic plants without any (apparent) ill effects.

Drainage of the soil, orientation towards the sun and the sun hours would be more important to me. But your current solution looks like a great idea.

You could also take a look at this site: http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plant_database_14.asp Which also has a large section about 'normal' garden plants and shrubs. There are a great deal of plants that are very attractive in the garden and make a nice addition to your tortoise diet. I would recommend letting the plants settle and grow for a few months though, this will give the plant a better chance to survive the ‘harvest' and give pesticides a chance to 'wash off'.

If you're living with avid gardeners you'll most likely get an evil eye once in a while when you start to harvest. But it is great fun to watch plants grow and bloom thank to your effort. Of course, you’ll most likely see them ripped to pieces, stomped into the ground or in small poops a cross the enclosure a few days later as well. But a happy tortoise as well.

 

[spud's_mum]

We've decided to put a very fine mesh like this on the bottom:

Then waterproof the planks of wood. This is so there is enough drainage.

 

[Speedy-1]

It is shaping up great , I think Spud will be a happy little dude !

 

[spud's_mum]

It is shaping up great , I think Spud will be a happy little dude !

Thank you
I hope he does like it

 

[spud's_mum]

As for substrate, I was thinking of using peat.
Is this ok or are there any better options?
Sorry about all of the questions, I really appreciate the help

 

[Speedy-1]

As for substrate, I was thinking of using peat.
Is this ok or are there any better options?
Sorry about all of the questions, I really appreciate the help

Depending on how deep it will be , you might want to go with something bigger like pathway bark underneath ? That might also help with drainage ? and then a layer of peat over that !

 

[spud's_mum]

Depending on how deep it will be , you might want to go with something bigger like pathway bark underneath ? That might also help with drainage ? and then a layer of peat over that !

Yeah, that sounds good!
I'm trying to put the least amount as I can in as it needs to be light enough to move haha.

 

[Speedy-1]

Yeah, that sounds good!
I'm trying to put the least amount as I can in as it needs to be light enough to move haha.

Don't know where it will sit or how sturdy it is but would wheels on the legs be an option ? Its always easier to roll , than lift and carry !

 

[spud's_mum]

Just finished removing the staples.
Overall, we took out around 100 staples!

 

[spud's_mum]

Just to show you the size:

It's just over 4 foot across.

 

[spud's_mum]

All screwed together now

 

[spud's_mum]

Now the hard part... Picking out a colour to paint it. I really can't choose!

What colour do you guys think?

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Now the hard part... Picking out a colour to paint it. I really can't choose!

What colour do you guys think?

Im having trouble with picking out a paint color for my new i door enclosure too. I was thinking a brownish color.. But what about bright colors ? And can any paint be used since we will be water proofing the wood also?

 

[spud's_mum]

Im having trouble with picking out a paint color for my new i door enclosure too. I was thinking a brownish color.. But what about bright colors ? And can any paint be used since we will be water proofing the wood also?

I think any paint can be used. I'm not sure though.
It's so hard picking a colour
I was thinking light grey or dark green. I really don't know though

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

I think any paint can be used. I'm not sure though.
It's so hard picking a colour
I was thinking light grey or dark green. I really don't know though

Oh grey sounds nice !