Outdoor enclosure liner/dig proofing? Yes? No?

[Masin]

Hey there,
I haven't been around too much since the last build we did. Since then we've relocated a good 8 hours north (North Fl) and now instead of a 650sq ft historic home in South Florida, we have a farm on a few acres. Needless to say the outdoor tortsie build started immediately....that was a month ago! The clay up here has proven to be a difficult medium to dig through
My idea was to dig it out deep, line it with chainlink and fill it back in, build it around as normal from there. Tell me this, is the liner/dig proofing a necessary thing? I keep seeing so many people with simpler plans and seemingly easier times building there outdoor spaces. I do want to dig it out and put rock down for drainage either way. (I'm concerned with how damp the soil got a few times)
Thanks in advance! Echo thanks you too, the poor girl needs to get outside!

 

[SANDRA_MEISSNEST]

What kind after to do you have? I live in South Florida, i have sullies and boxies and I didn't put anything in the ground. never had one escaped

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[Masin]

We have a year and a half old sulcata and potentially a 45 pound (unknown age) sulcata as well. Separate enclosures of course. We moved from South Florida where we had a temporary outdoor enclosure (pool) set up, but since we finally have real land we're looking to build a pretty great outdoor. Digging this clay has taken ages though So happy to think i might be able to abort the mission and get onto the fun stuff! Haha.
I was concerned with their digging and didn't want to kick myself in the butt for not lining it!

What kind after to do you have? I live in South Florida, i have sullies and boxies and I didn't put anything in the ground. never had one escaped

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[Tom]

I have never dug down or lined any sulcata pen in more than 20 years of keeping them. I just contain them with slumpstone blocks.

If they dig, they just dig down and usually to the right. They only dig to dig a burrow to escape temperature extremes. They don't dig to escape or get under a fence, like a dog. While its physically possible, I've never seen or heard of one digging upward at all.

 

[Masin]

Tom! I'm so happy you responded, I was about to message you personally and ask for advice.
Well then, I'll officially stop the back breaking family project that is digging out this clap pit
What are your opinions on soil draining? I've never had to think about it until moving here and dealing with this moisture holding clay. I worry about shell rot and such. I think my idea of lining it with rock will help, yea? I'll try to post a picture asap!

I have never dug down or lined any sulcata pen in more than 20 years of keeping them. I just contain them with slumpstone blocks.

If they dig, they just dig down and usually to the right. They only dig to dig a burrow to escape temperature extremes. They don't dig to escape or get under a fence, like a dog. While its physically possible, I've never seen or heard of one digging upward at all.

 

[Masin]

There ya go, just an idea of the space we're planning it in. This is within a pasture in our yard. We plan to double that dug out size and bring it all the way to the fence on the right.