AZ Tortoise keeper's almost-anything-goes thread

Yvonne G

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I would cut out holes for the lights.
 

jskahn

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I would also cut out light holes, and if there is condensation on the plexi, add a few holes.
 

motero

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Not to many use foggers, If your table is water proof you would wet the substrate to increase the humidity.
 

jskahn

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Not to many use foggers, If your table is water proof you would wet the substrate to increase the humidity.
I would make it waterproof, then you could use damp coco bark, or a slightly damp medium.
 

TigsMom

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When do you all plant your outdoor enclosures with seeds? I bought a couple of pounds of Tortoise Grazing Mix seeds and have started a couple of trays indoors just to test it out. I don't want to seed the outdoor enclosures too early (in case we get a frost), but I sure don't want to wait until it's too late and the intense heat arrives. Thinking mid to end of February should be safe, if not I could quickly cover the areas with a make shift green house of clear plastic tenting. My torts typically don't wake up until around mid to late April. I waited til late March to plant in the past and between the wild cotton tails and the torts their food (planted from seed) was gone in less than a month, leaving them only the sod to graze on through summer (they ate it so short, that I'm afraid it may not come back this spring, time will tell).
 

motero

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Bermuda needs a ground temperature above 70 for good cover to sprout. I don't know about your seeds. Covering it will keep it warmer at night so you can sprout sooner. I am going to wait till the lows stay above 60 for my bermuda this spring.
 

TigsMom

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Thank you Motero. I'll be getting some organic top soil to start working into the soil and prepare the enclosures for planting ahead of time. Plus, going to try a seperate growing area (for back up cuttings and such). If these test trays work well, I may do several more trays indoors to really get a head start. The seed mix I bought from Carolina Pet Supply contains: Crimson Clover, Red clover, Creeping Red Fescue, Turnip Greens, Fescue, Kentucky Blue Grass, Orchard Grass, Wheat Grass, Rye Grass, Barley Grass, Chia, Chicory and Timothy. The Bermuda Grass was a sod, so if it doesn't bounce back I'll replace it with sod again, as sod lasts through our intense summer heat and stood up best against lots of munching/grazing. Bermuda seed was a waste of money for me, the critters devoured it far too short and it didn't stand a chance of surviving after 4 weeks or so.

I will watch the temps and go with your advice of 60 Degs F.
 

TigsMom

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Well, so much for waiting for 60 Degs. We suddenly jump into mid 80's during the day (for the past 5 days, and 10 day forecast is pretty much the same) and still hovering 57-59 Degs at night. The Torts and Turtles are all awake and munching. Thankful to see them looking so fabulous, but here we go again with the challenge of growing things while they are awake.
 

motero

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Definitely a warm February. My desert torts have woken up soaked, drank and started eating they don't mind the weather. On a side note. Anyone in the valley want a preformed plastic pond. My neighbor has one for sale. It would be nice for some one who wanted to rescue red ears.
 

Melissa319

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Hi everyone,

Curious as to what, if anything, those of you with outdoor enclosures do during monsoon season? Did you take any precautions during your build, or have any suggestions to share? We're going to be putting up temporary outdoor enclosures for our group of young leopard tortoises soon and (while we are a ways off from monsoon season!) while I don't intend to overnight them outside this year, I am curious as to what you've all done for those you keep outside.

The obvious things have already been considered - we know the "high spots" in our yard so the pens will go there, the pens will be well secured to the ground as will the screen we're putting up around it, etc. We'll have hides for them to get out of the elements, as this is my first "permanent" outdoor enclosure (ie one I don't move around/bring inside!) I'm just wondering what else I may want to consider in the event a storm pops up and we aren't able to grab them in time.

Next year once everyone is bigger we'll be building a permanent structure out of wall blocks that'll be a lot bigger, so I'd be interested in stock piling monsoon safety ideas for when we're ready to start that design as well.
 

motero

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So what is your concern? Rain doesn't hurt them. They have built in rain gear. Using the high spots in your yard should take care of any flooding danger.
 

Melissa319

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I was just curious as to if anyone had suggestions or recommendations for things they did to help offer protection... we get hit pretty hard where we are so I thought I'd ask if anyone had recommendations or suggestions. We have a neighbor who lost a sulcata in a storm last year (seems he wasn't smart enough to get out of the way and ended up hanging out in a low spot..) so I'm wanting to do what I can to offer as much safety and protection as I can.
 

Grandpa Turtle 144

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I was just curious as to if anyone had suggestions or recommendations for things they did to help offer protection... we get hit pretty hard where we are so I thought I'd ask if anyone had recommendations or suggestions. We have a neighbor who lost a sulcata in a storm last year (seems he wasn't smart enough to get out of the way and ended up hanging out in a low spot..) so I'm wanting to do what I can to offer as much safety and protection as I can.
Under my enclosures I dig dry wells that gives the water someplace to goImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1424994757.141907.jpg
 
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