Ideas for outside

[Blakem]

Hello, my parents gave me approval of using the side of our yard as an area for my Russian, Ezek. I have never had an outside area for a tortoise before so I would like some ideas. I am going to be cleaning up the weeds, the metal pipes on the left, and the bricks. Should I take all of the bricks out of the end of the side? I dont plan on removing the bricks that are in the ground. Any ideas are appreciated. Thank you!

 

[nicoleandrocky]

So you have all the land in all these 3 pics right?

 

[Blakem]

So you have all the land in all these 3 pics right?

Yes, it is approximately 3 feet wide and 25 feet long.

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So you have all the land in all these 3 pics right?

Yes, it is approximately 3 feet wide and 25 feet long.

The second picture is me standing almost at the beginning of the whole stretch.

 

[nicoleandrocky]

I would try and grow some weeds/grass where the pipes are (if you are able to) In the very back i would make that his escape from the sun.

 

[ascott]

How much sun does that area get? Under the pipes against the house is the concrete footing of the house...so since you wont have that as a dirt area I would strongly suggest that you remove a good portion of the bricks near an area where the sun shines down as well as some of the bricks under that wood section...tortoise need earth to muck about in....you will also want to keep an eye on the plastron that it is not getting scraped down from rubbing against the bricks....also, what type of plant/shrub is that in the first pic?

That can be a great outdoor enclosure for sure...also keep in mind that these guys are superb climbers and escape artists ....

 

[lynnedit]

If ther is sun in some part of it 8 or so hrs per day that area will work well. Their native environment has many rocks and gravel so some bricks are great, a narrow row will make a walkway for maintenance. You don't have the raised beds included, correct? If not, I agree with removing some bricks in a couple of areas and adding topsoil. Add some hides(they do like to burrow in the hide and under edges of plants, etc. If this area gets sun, there is a lot u can do with it! Lots of walking room.

 

[Blakem]

Yeah, I gave it a test trial yesterday just to see where he would go. He was EVERYWHERE! As mentioned, I will need to remove some bricks bc he was definitely moving and climbing all over them. There is approximately 3-4 hours of sunlight on that side daily. When I do leave him out there, it will be when I am home. I have a gate to block my dogs from getting in.

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Oh and ascott, the plant is called jasmine. I am going to check if it is poisonous right now. Is that why you are asking?

 

[ascott]

Yup...the reason I asked about the shrub was to see what it is...Star Jasmine is the no no one....Jasmine and winter Jasmine are cool as part of a varied diet....

 

[Yvonne G]

Leave the weeds. Your Russian will eat them. Just remember that they are great diggers and climbers.

 

[Blakem]

Great, thank you guys! I am excited for this project. I just hope my parents are accepting of what I want to do. I have been putting bricks on the lining of the fence and areas of that he can climb or get stuck.

 

[slowpoke]

Show us some pics when you get all done ...

 

[Blakem]

Alright, so I have been working on the side of my yard the past two days. I am very excited to show that it is almost done! I just need to figure out plants to put in. As you can see, the pictures show the total process. Let me know if there are any adjustments I need please. This is for my russian tortoise. The final dimensions are 8 feet by 5 feet. I hope this is big enough?

The gate that block out our dogs, almost done.

Before.

After!

I used top soil as substrate.

 

[CLMoss]

Good luck with your new project. He/she is cute.

 

[lynnedit]

Your tort looks very cute, and healthy

8'x5' for one tortoise is a nice size.
What about some 'sight blocks'? For example, a few concrete blocks placed here and there. 1-2 by themselves, perhaps 2 at a right angle. These tend to make it more interesting as they walk around them.
You can make a nice cool hide with two concrete blocks and a paver placed across them. Plant one of the grasses by the opening to he/she feels secure.
You can fill them with some potting soil and plant nasturtium seeds, for example.
Torts love clumping grasses like carex or blue fescue. They clump, and mine sit ont them or burrow under them.
YOu might be able to fit in a hibiscus shrub in one corner: they love the leaves and flowers, very good for them.

Get some of these seeds, if you can, and sprinkle them down in a few areas.
http://www.tortoisesupply.com/TestudoMix

Great job!!!!

 

[Blakem]

Your tort looks very cute, and healthy

8'x5' for one tortoise is a nice size.
What about some 'sight blocks'? For example, a few concrete blocks placed here and there. 1-2 by themselves, perhaps 2 at a right angle. These tend to make it more interesting as they walk around them.
You can make a nice cool hide with two concrete blocks and a paver placed across them. Plant one of the grasses by the opening to he/she feels secure.
You can fill them with some potting soil and plant nasturtium seeds, for example.
Torts love clumping grasses like carex or blue fescue. They clump, and mine sit ont them or burrow under them.
YOu might be able to fit in a hibiscus shrub in one corner: they love the leaves and flowers, very good for them.

Get some of these seeds, if you can, and sprinkle them down in a few areas.
http://www.tortoisesupply.com/TestudoMix

Great job!!!!

Those are some cool ideas, I like the block idea at a right angle a lot and I see the logic behind it. I have some tortoise grazing mix coming in for my sulcata that I will be getting next month. I ordered it 2 weeks ago this Sunday, so it should be here soon. Will that be okay? I know Russians only eat broad leaf plants, but I was told in a previous thread that he will eat some things in the mix.
Hopefully I can find some of those grasses at a local hardware store.
Also, should I wait until after the quarantine period to place my hatchling sulcata (that I will be getting in June) in the same outside enclosure, at separate times, of course.

 

[lynnedit]

Someone else may comment about the two torts in the same enclosure at different times. I haven't seen that question before.

yes, the Sulcata grazing mix is fine. The only issue I have seen in using it with Russians is they don't eat the grass, so it tends to take over, that's the only disadvantage.

PLaces like Lowe's or Home Depot should have those kinds of clumping grasses. Hibiscus is also known as Rose of Sharon.

 

[Blakem]

And when he doesn't eat it, hopefully my sulcata will!

 

[lynnedit]

That's true!