Designing tortoise yard

[cljohnson]

This is the area I am planning to build my tort yard.


View attachment 16026

It is about 30x30 feet.
I have a lot of work to do but also a lot of time.
It will be at least late spring early summer before they will be outside supervised let alone by themselves.
I am planning to plant some mixed grasses and weeds.
I was wondering if any of you have had good success with any particular plants or shrubs that are tort friendly.
Also should I cover the bottom of the chain link so they can't see out? I would like to be able to see in but I don't want them to get hurt trying to get out.

 

[alzeal]

Nice looking yard. I've started to grow a sulcata seed mix from sulcatafood.com. My little sullie loves it. www.carolinapetsupply.com also has a good pasture mix everyone here has been talking about. Grows easy and fast. There is also a whole list of acceptable plants somewhere here on the forum. Just search for it. Anyway just line the perimeter with a row of cinderblocks. How big are your sullies?

 

[wellington]

Check out thetortoisetable.org for the plants. Also I do believe you do need to re-enforce the bottom of your fence or they could dig out. I don't have a digging species. I am sure more members will comment soon.

 

[Laura]

as long as they have plenty of hiding places and a house to do into.. they may not dig.. but you may need to black the visual thru the chainlink..

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Part of Bob's fence is chainlink, and while he looks out at times he has never tried to dig out.

 

[cljohnson]

I am not so much worried about digging out. I have a 18 inch concrete footing the entire fence line. I am only concerned they may hurt themselves trying to dig out if they can see through.
I would prefer to be able to see in to watch them but their safety is the most important.

 

[Zamric]

WalkingRock has never tried to dig out either.... he just waits till someone leave the door open then makes a break for it!