critter free daytime heated tort box

sherminator

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5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2013
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58
Location (City and/or State)
The humid South
I have finally completed my leo's outside heated tort box. (Thank you Tom and Heather for your amazing posts on how to do this and a family friend for replacing my outside plug so it works again) Murphy the tort is adjusting to it slowly as torts do. Here is my concern. Obviously I close it up in the evening to keep critters/predators out at night but how do I keep them out during the day? (especially snakes) I live in Coastal GA and it seems to be an episode of Wild America in my yard compared to where I used to be in suburban So Cal. There are trees/woods everywhere in the "subdivision" and a pond outside my fence. So far this week I have seen in my fenced yard a garter snake and what I think is called a Brown snake. I know these snakes are non poisonous and small but still, I would rather myself and the tort avoid them curling up inside for some warmth since its still btwn 60-70 in the early mornings when I put tort inside the box before I leave for work. I really do not like snakes and do not want to encounter them when I lift the lid or close the door up for the night. I am a big time worrier by nature anyway and leaving Murphy out all day alone is already causing me stress and seeing snakes is not helping. I had a very large rat or black racer snake in my yard abt 2 years ago but we both agreed to be terrified of each other and bolt in the opposite direction. And I really don't want a poisonous snake to take up residence in there. So is there anything I can do or do I just need to toughen up?
 

Pearly

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Jul 14, 2015
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5,287
Location (City and/or State)
Central Texas, Austin area
I have finally completed my leo's outside heated tort box. (Thank you Tom and Heather for your amazing posts on how to do this and a family friend for replacing my outside plug so it works again) Murphy the tort is adjusting to it slowly as torts do. Here is my concern. Obviously I close it up in the evening to keep critters/predators out at night but how do I keep them out during the day? (especially snakes) I live in Coastal GA and it seems to be an episode of Wild America in my yard compared to where I used to be in suburban So Cal. There are trees/woods everywhere in the "subdivision" and a pond outside my fence. So far this week I have seen in my fenced yard a garter snake and what I think is called a Brown snake. I know these snakes are non poisonous and small but still, I would rather myself and the tort avoid them curling up inside for some warmth since its still btwn 60-70 in the early mornings when I put tort inside the box before I leave for work. I really do not like snakes and do not want to encounter them when I lift the lid or close the door up for the night. I am a big time worrier by nature anyway and leaving Murphy out all day alone is already causing me stress and seeing snakes is not helping. I had a very large rat or black racer snake in my yard abt 2 years ago but we both agreed to be terrified of each other and bolt in the opposite direction. And I really don't want a poisonous snake to take up residence in there. So is there anything I can do or do I just need to toughen up?
Omg!!!! I am so grateful for this post!!!! You have just told MY STORY!!! with the exception of location. I'm in Texas, we do have snakes! Including some venomous ones, rattlesnake, water mocassin, copperhead and coral snake are the ones I know of.... Brrrrr! Gives me chills! I'd never hurt/killan animal, just wish to do anything and everything to keepthem out of my tortoise yard
 

Careym13

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Joined
Jan 28, 2015
Messages
1,604
Location (City and/or State)
Northern Virginia
I have finally completed my leo's outside heated tort box. (Thank you Tom and Heather for your amazing posts on how to do this and a family friend for replacing my outside plug so it works again) Murphy the tort is adjusting to it slowly as torts do. Here is my concern. Obviously I close it up in the evening to keep critters/predators out at night but how do I keep them out during the day? (especially snakes) I live in Coastal GA and it seems to be an episode of Wild America in my yard compared to where I used to be in suburban So Cal. There are trees/woods everywhere in the "subdivision" and a pond outside my fence. So far this week I have seen in my fenced yard a garter snake and what I think is called a Brown snake. I know these snakes are non poisonous and small but still, I would rather myself and the tort avoid them curling up inside for some warmth since its still btwn 60-70 in the early mornings when I put tort inside the box before I leave for work. I really do not like snakes and do not want to encounter them when I lift the lid or close the door up for the night. I am a big time worrier by nature anyway and leaving Murphy out all day alone is already causing me stress and seeing snakes is not helping. I had a very large rat or black racer snake in my yard abt 2 years ago but we both agreed to be terrified of each other and bolt in the opposite direction. And I really don't want a poisonous snake to take up residence in there. So is there anything I can do or do I just need to toughen up?
I have similar issues. My guys don't live outside at night yet, but I too have all sorts of wildlife in my yard. I used 1/2 inch mesh to cover my torts daytime enclosures. The only snakes we have that can get through that are little tiny ringnecks which basically look like big worms. It doesn't stop snakes from coming up to the perimeter of the enclosures though. I'm in the process of figuring out electric fencing for my poultry pens, partially due to the threat of snakes.
 

sherminator

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5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2013
Messages
58
Location (City and/or State)
The humid South
The outside enclosure is not covered because it is way too big of an area. My tort is the only animal I have so he has the run of 95% of my wooden fenced in yard. I blocked off the section with the a/c heat unit and bushes he can't eat. My tort is over 10 inches long now so I was told he will be fine but I am just going to have to do daily snake checks for myself while I am out there doing the fire ant checks for both of us.
 

Pearly

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Joined
Jul 14, 2015
Messages
5,287
Location (City and/or State)
Central Texas, Austin area
I'll have this same issue. Can NOT cage in my entire garden, and that's more or less what I'd need to do to keep everything out. I'll start slow and increase the outdoors time gradually as my torts grow while carefully watching and observing the area
 

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