Building an Outside Enclosure Plans

GreenFire719

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Joined
Jul 17, 2017
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71
Location (City and/or State)
North Carolina, USA
Hi guys! So I’m gonna be building an outside enclosure for Zonder and wanted to get some thoughts on my building plans. I’m wanting to build a pen with a shelter in it so during nicer weather he can sleep safely outside. I’m gonna set up a cinder block perimeter of 5’x5’ with chicken wire set down at the bottom of it, then cover it with a foot of dirt. I’m going to put a couple of underground hides and above ground and cover it with chicken wire on top to keep animals out. I live in NC so I’m thinking about keeping him outside till winter when I’ll bring him in. For the shelter I’m wanting to get something like this:B97E7B98-92EB-47F1-8DFB-29A9EF392C21.jpeg
I would put this on the outside of the perimeter with a way for him to come in and out as he pleases. I’m wanting to make this a heated hide box with a heat mat on the bottom and another mat on top to protect him from getting burned. What do you guys think about this so far? Let me know your suggestions!
 

GreenFire719

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Joined
Jul 17, 2017
Messages
71
Location (City and/or State)
North Carolina, USA
Hello, I also live in NC!
I think that would work for a heated night box but it might have to be insulated to work well.
The box I posted is insulated, I would just need to alter it to put heating elements inside. I’m just nervous about housing him outdoors because he’s lived inside his whole life and is captive breed so he has never been cold enough to want to brumate.
Actually a heated night box will allow you to get more out the year than you would think.
Thread 'Single Tortoise Night Box' https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/single-tortoise-night-box.181515/
This link to a heated night box build is great! I think it might be a bit too big for my Russian but a suppose having more space to move around in there the better. Still scared about leaving him outside in the winter though, but I think if I can managed to build a nice insulated one he can stay outside during the year longer.
 

Blackdog1714

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Jul 30, 2018
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Richmond, VA
The box I posted is insulated, I would just need to alter it to put heating elements inside. I’m just nervous about housing him outdoors because he’s lived inside his whole life and is captive breed so he has never been cold enough to want to brumate.

This link to a heated night box build is great! I think it might be a bit too big for my Russian but a suppose having more space to move around in there the better. Still scared about leaving him outside in the winter though, but I think if I can managed to build a nice insulated one he can stay outside during the year longer.
You can scale it down in size but the premise is solid.
 
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