Hatchling tortoises and outdoor enclosures..

[McScoots]

Hi! I have a 3 week hatchling tortoises and plan to put them outside (which the breeder did initially, which I think should be the gold standard, but I’m so scared to do it when they are tiny) anyway, I’m concerned about rats eating them? Is that weird? Does chicken wire prevent this? What tools do you guys use to prevent small predators other than a locked screen cover?

(I live in the Bay Area, California. Temps are neutral all year round, right now 50’s at night and mid 70s in the day. Currently they are in a large rubber maid mixing tub next to a window, but I know sunshine is stronger than the lights, and I love when the sunshine breaks thru the window for at least 6 hours)

I’m a 2nd hermann tortoise owner and my first was eaten by a predator. So I am so paranoid about this. Mistakes that haunt me. Thanks for all the help

 

[Yvonne G]

Just FYI - rats/mice can get through chicken wire.

 

[Blackdog1714]

Gotta use hardware cloth which is the the small opening metal fencing. Also for bigger predators I recommend the 1” opening wire fence bent in an L so it extends into the ground away from the enclosure. If you dig a shallow trench around to bury it under the ground then they will burrow into it and never under it

 

[Tom]

Hi! I have a 3 week hatchling tortoises and plan to put them outside (which the breeder did initially, which I think should be the gold standard, but I’m so scared to do it when they are tiny) anyway, I’m concerned about rats eating them? Is that weird? Does chicken wire prevent this? What tools do you guys use to prevent small predators other than a locked screen cover?

(I live in the Bay Area, California. Temps are neutral all year round, right now 50’s at night and mid 70s in the day. Currently they are in a large rubber maid mixing tub next to a window, but I know sunshine is stronger than the lights, and I love when the sunshine breaks thru the window for at least 6 hours)

I’m a 2nd hermann tortoise owner and my first was eaten by a predator. So I am so paranoid about this. Mistakes that haunt me. Thanks for all the help

Hello and welcome. How many do you have?

Outdoors all day is not good for babies. I've done several side-by-side comparison experiments, and too many hours outdoors makes them grow very slowly, and in our climate at least, it makes them pyramid. I like to have them out for an hour or two tops, and I extend that time as they grow and gain size. As adults, outside all day is great for them, but not for tiny babies.

Dogs, coyotes, raccoons, rats, and mice can all get through chicken wire, as Yvonne said. I agree with Blackdog that 1/2 inch hardware cloth would serve you best right now, and I go to welded wire wen they get bigger. Here are some ideas for outdoor enclosures:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/simple-sunning-enclosure.104351/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...table-but-safe-outdoor-baby-enclosures.30683/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-enclosures.121732/

Because of the tiny tiny size of your new babies, you might want to put a bottom of some sort on your outdoor enclosure. It would be pretty easy to put sides and a wire lid on a sheet of plywood and throw some dirt, plants and some "furniture" in there.

Care for hermanni is the same as for Russians. These should offer some tips:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Questions and conversation are welcome.

 

[McScoots]

Hello and welcome. How many do you have?

Outdoors all day is not good for babies. I've done several side-by-side comparison experiments, and too many hours outdoors makes them grow very slowly, and in our climate at least, it makes them pyramid. I like to have them out for an hour or two tops, and I extend that time as they grow and gain size. As adults, outside all day is great for them, but not for tiny babies.

Dogs, coyotes, raccoons, rats, and mice can all get through chicken wire, as Yvonne said. I agree with Blackdog that 1/2 inch hardware cloth would serve you best right now, and I go to welded wire wen they get bigger. Here are some ideas for outdoor enclosures:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/simple-sunning-enclosure.104351/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...table-but-safe-outdoor-baby-enclosures.30683/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-enclosures.121732/

Because of the tiny tiny size of your new babies, you might want to put a bottom of some sort on your outdoor enclosure. It would be pretty easy to put sides and a wire lid on a sheet of plywood and throw some dirt, plants and some "furniture" in there.

Care for hermanni is the same as for Russians. These should offer some tips:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Questions and conversation are welcome.

Super helpful! Thank you. I have 2 testudo Hermanni Hermanni and they are about 2 inches in size, born in July (2019). they are still settling in so they are not entirely comfortable. Your outdoor enclosure link is great, I love it. I will definitely look into that hardware cloth! Thanks again

 

[McScoots]

Gotta use hardware cloth which is the the small opening metal fencing. Also for bigger predators I recommend the 1” opening wire fence bent in an L so it extends into the ground away from the enclosure. If you dig a shallow trench around to bury it under the ground then they will burrow into it and never under it

Never heard of hardware cloth! I will definitely look into it thank you

 

[McScoots]

Just FYI - rats/mice can get through chicken wire.

Good to know. Chicken wire is off the list. Thanks

 

[Tom]

Super helpful! Thank you. I have 2 testudo Hermanni Hermanni and they are about 2 inches in size, born in July (2019). they are still settling in so they are not entirely comfortable. Your outdoor enclosure link is great, I love it. I will definitely look into that hardware cloth! Thanks again

Tortoises should never live as pairs. Groups of juveniles can sometimes work, but not pairs. Looks like you'll be making two enclosures.