creating out door enclosure

[terracolson]

So we have this area on the east side of the house.
Fence is 1 foot in the ground 25 ft long with a 6 inch over hang.
I have a stack of 2 bricks high for now on the out side, but i am thinking of putting something on the inside.
Yes my russin is trying to climb, but ONLY in the morning and he gives up really easy. When he wakes, i feed him and then he tries to escape for 10 mins while i read the paper and watch him, then he is done pacing the fence for the day.

I have been letting him stay out at night. He has created himself a little hole and he goes to bed at 7pm and gets up about 9am. Lazy guy. (picture of him sleeping attached)

My question is. I am wanting to add 2 more and want some one experienced to tell me what problems they see with the area.


My house is completely fenced in so no outside dogs.
I live in Sacramento california.
Is it ok he is staying out at night for now atleast?
I konw marigolds can cause turtles to itch, but coco loves them, so i havent desided about them yet. He sleeps in them even when he has other areas. the hotest part of the day you will find him under them.

The dark area is a hole with clover planted and has the screen there for them to climb in and out. It works quite well

 

[bettinge]

Two comments!

1) From what I can see, I would give him a better hide. You might try a cardboard box for a while to see if he likes it, then build one out of wood!

2) The fence scares me a bit! You know better than I, but I would be worried about an eventual escape. I don't know your area, but he is not protected from preditors like coons either! He looks big enough to be safe from birds.

 

[Yvonne G]

As you've probably seen by now, Russians are great little climbers. I see that you have bent the fence in towards the pen to prevent escape, however because the fencing medium is cloth, I THINK the tortoise just might be able to dig his nails in and get over the top. In my opinion, you should have put the bricks on the inside of the cloth. And maybe add another layer of bricks to make it a bit higher.

I like the pen. It is very pretty, with all the plantings. And it might be large enough for two more, but bigger is always better.

The weather in the Central Valley is fine for leaving your tortoise out 24/7, but like what was previously asked, do you have night time predators in your area?

Yvonne

 

[bettinge]

Take a look at Moonbeams climbing Russian in the recent thread titeled "Climbing Russian". They can be determined critters when they want to be!

 

[terracolson]

I have a cardboard box. i will put it back in there for now.

Night time critters are a no. My area is close to a river but i am deep in houses and in the last year i havent seen any critters.

I have thought about bricks or a board on the inside. I was wondering if any one else thought that.
My russian doesnt seem to have the strenght to go up that high. He cant even get his feet of the grown yet, really. but he is just 1 yr.

I will think about what to put on the inside. I was thinking about the cement mason blocks. they are 1.32 a piece. I have the string of brinks but i worry about them being pulled over on top of the turtle.

Maybe tonight i will give it a try.

thx

---

I made a change with the bricks.

http://danielnicholsonfamily.shutterfly.com/278

 

[K9KidsLove]

Hi...Why did you dig a hole to plant the clover in? I would worry that he would fall in & flip onto his back & not be able to right himself.

I like your plantings.
I agree with the others who are concerned about him climbing the cloth. Mine are climbers. I would put the bricks on the inside, but cinder blocks would be better. I put 3 blocks in a semi circle & put a flat paving block (18" square) on top of them to make a hide for them. I have no corners in their corral (they are all rounded) cause they can brace themselves & walk up the corner if it is made of wood or fencing.
Good luck
Patsy

 

[Maggie Cummings]

He also needs something safe to sleep in at night. And a hide to nap in during the day. You also need a bowl for water for him to soak and drink...

 

[Yvonne G]

Having the bricks on the inside was a good change to make. Keep your eye on him for a while and see if he tries to climb up on top of the bricks, though, you might need to add another brick all the way around just to keep him off them.

Good job...tortoises always do better when allowed to live outside!

Yvonne

 

[terracolson]

The middle section has a ramp built for it. I just put it in today. they can go inside and under it. its another place to hide. and th clover is planted all over the are.