New temporary outdoor enclosure: Princess Leia

[Robert]

Took some time today to erect a temporary outdoor enclosure for Princess Leia. We are currently in the process of getting approval to have our septic tank replaced. (Always fun trying to cram a $20k emergency project into a family budget!) So until the septic project is completed, she will be in this "temporary" outdoor enclosure. Large portions of our backyard will be effected by the project, so we needed something that could be moved. Once she has a permanent enclosure, we will be able to focus more on plants etc.

10 feet x 20 feet x 18 inches

Temps were as follows: (all in degrees fahrenheit)
Direct sun grass: 82
Feeding stone: 91
Large rock: 88
Shaded grass beneath plastic table: 68
Top of rubbermaid hide: 113
Interior of rubbermaid hide: 54
Top of Shell: 92
Armpit: 86

She avoided the inside of the hides. She checked each out, but I think they were just too cold. She did seem to like walking around them. She enjoyed the table as well.

As the day progressed, she got some shade.

Overall, she got to spend 3.5 hours outside in direct sun. She was mobile for 85% of the time. (Every now and again she stretched out completely and stayed put for a few minutes.)

A great day for the whole family.

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Looking at that first picture I can see just how badly my house needs to be painted!! UGHHH

 

[Tom]

That looks great Rob! I bet she was happy to see the sun.

 

[Robert]

I am trying to avoid attributing false human emotions to an animal's behavior......... BUT she seems to LOVE it! She was all over the place! Eating grass, basking with head and all four arms/legs stretched completely out, she was inquisitive anytime anyone went and stood next to the enclosure, going right up and accepting "petting".

She certainly did not show any signs that I would interpret to be stress.

 

[LindaF]

Nice!

 

[Jacob]

nice, i just built one today for my baby sulcata

 

[coreyc]

Looks good

 

[Becki]

I love the stool for "observing"!

 

[dmarcus]

Nothing wrong with big and simple and im sure she enjoys the sun..

 

[Torty Mom]

Looks great!! Fantastic job!! It will be fun to BBQ, and hang out with the kids and tortie!!! Yay!!!

 

[TebowHammer]

Hey Rob,

Even though it's temporary it looks great!

If you don't mind me asking, about how much did the wood set you back?

That's about the same size I want to build mine.

Cheers!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Looks very nice!

 

[jeffbens0n]

Looks great, now you just need the grass to grow!

 

[cueboy007]

This is on my to do list.
Have you thought of putting a cover on top, to protect them from birds or any other predators?

 

[Robert]

RE: New temporary outdoor enclosuPrincess Leia

Hey Rob,

Even though it's temporary it looks great!

If you don't mind me asking, about how much did the wood set you back?

That's about the same size I want to build mine.

Cheers!

Thanks. Total for wood was about $60

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This is on my to do list.
Have you thought of putting a cover on top, to protect them from birds or any other predators?

I don't plan to put a cover on this enclosure. As I said, its just temporary. Due to her size, I am not as worried about avian predators. Also, she will not be spending the night in the enclosure. We will be bringing her inside.

We also have a dog on our property which limits most animals from coming into our property. (The dog does not have access to the enclosure.). As strange as it sounds, I also line our property with fox urine. I'm not sure if it works, but the former owner did it, and so I have kept it up.

 

[froghaven5]

Looks great! I can't wait for it to warm up here so I can get OP outside in a similar enclosure for the day.