Hi everyone, I have a 15 year old Spur Thighed tortoise called Harry. We live in the South of England.
At this time of year - now that he has woken up from hibernation - he lives indoors in a tortoise table. Then in the summer he spends his days outside and nights indoors.
My plan is to move him outside permanently in a custom built enclosure.
I’m thinking of building a little playhouse/mini shed, which I’ll insulate & ensure has power, so that we can have his lights etc set up. Then attached to that will be an outdoor enclosure, that he can access through a little door.
My question is - during the winter, would it be safe to have the door open on sunny (but cold) days, to give him the option to go outside? Would he understand to walk back into his house or not go out at all if it was too cold? Or would I need to keep the door shut when the temp outside is low? I like the idea of him being able to choose his environment, but I don’t want him to get ill because he didn’t know to take himself into the warm?
Am I totally underestimating his natural instincts? Would it be safe if he chose to go outside on a day like today (6 degrees C, 42F)? I only worry because he’s very inquisitive and loves exploring, and I panic that he’d just want to be roaming outside all day!
Thanks everyone!
At this time of year - now that he has woken up from hibernation - he lives indoors in a tortoise table. Then in the summer he spends his days outside and nights indoors.
My plan is to move him outside permanently in a custom built enclosure.
I’m thinking of building a little playhouse/mini shed, which I’ll insulate & ensure has power, so that we can have his lights etc set up. Then attached to that will be an outdoor enclosure, that he can access through a little door.
My question is - during the winter, would it be safe to have the door open on sunny (but cold) days, to give him the option to go outside? Would he understand to walk back into his house or not go out at all if it was too cold? Or would I need to keep the door shut when the temp outside is low? I like the idea of him being able to choose his environment, but I don’t want him to get ill because he didn’t know to take himself into the warm?
Am I totally underestimating his natural instincts? Would it be safe if he chose to go outside on a day like today (6 degrees C, 42F)? I only worry because he’s very inquisitive and loves exploring, and I panic that he’d just want to be roaming outside all day!
Thanks everyone!