There are coyotes in my area. In the summer I put my redfoot outside during the day and bring him back in in the evening. I know there is a mom coyote in the area so I'm wondering if they would prey on a tortoise.
Are coyotes a threat?
- Thread starter lisa127
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Sara G.
Active Member
I think they definitely would. I've heard of coyotes eating desert tortoises so I wouldn't be surprised.
Seems like here in my neighborhood they are active early evening and real early morning, maybe night too. Never see them during the day here, though.
I'm sure they are a threat. Same as coons, opossum, fox even possibly a skunk, even though the skunk is looking for bugs, it still could do a little damage. I do know skunks will dig up next holes, even if no eggs are left in them.
Yeah, we saw her before 7:30 this morning.
They can be. There are many factors to consider. Food and water availability, how desensitized to people they are in your area, and whether or not people hunt them in your area.
Our area has lots of them, but people shoot them on sight to protect their kids and animals, so around here they don't go anywhere near people or people habitation. They are very leery of any sort of human activity and they never come on to my ranch. The dogs, the people and the donkey seem to keep them away.
In some areas no one hunts them, people leave food out, and the wildlife is very desensitized to people. In an area like that, your tortoise will be a snack as soon as it is discovered.
Our area has lots of them, but people shoot them on sight to protect their kids and animals, so around here they don't go anywhere near people or people habitation. They are very leery of any sort of human activity and they never come on to my ranch. The dogs, the people and the donkey seem to keep them away.
In some areas no one hunts them, people leave food out, and the wildlife is very desensitized to people. In an area like that, your tortoise will be a snack as soon as it is discovered.
It would be the latter here unfortunately. I live in a suburb where the houses are real close together. But I live on a street with no street behind it. So instead of having a house behind me like most I have a small wooded area where deer live. Then the people who live 7 houses up the street from me are raising chickens in their backyard. I have 3 dogs - two that weigh 7 lbs each and one that weighs 15 lbs. They never ever go outside without supervision. But my redfoot normally spends the day in half the backyard that is feneed separate from the dogs. I don't feel comfortable with that anymore.
Have you seen my outdoor russian enclosures? Its basically a giant cage. You can see it here:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/semi-underground-russian-box.98590/
Its toward the end of the pics. Just scroll down.
Sara G.
Active Member
If your tort can see through the walls of your enclosure then he will try to spend all of his time getting out.
I think a dog kennel is a good idea, but I agree, you'll have to custom-fit it for your tortoise.
Look through the outdoor enclosure threads - at the photos - for ideas of what might suit your situation.
I was thinking kennel as well...but I think we're going to build it from wooden posts, like we did the chicken coop run.
Look through the outdoor enclosure threads - at the photos - for ideas of what might suit your situation.
I was thinking kennel as well...but I think we're going to build it from wooden posts, like we did the chicken coop run.
Yes, i know. Just not sure why you said that?
I'm wondering about a kennel, maybe 8 feet by 10 feet or so, and then lining the bottom perimeter with concrete blocks. The problem is we are financially stressed right now so buying a brand new kennel is out of the question.
Sara G.
Active Member
My mistake, you said do kennel, so I thought of a chain link area all the way around. My comment was me thinking of using the kennel without any boarders around the bottom. Sorry!
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