Okay, so I'm getting ready to adopt another redfoot (it never ends!); this time, its a 9-inch male with a hindleg disability. Obviously, he's larger than any other tortoise I have and will of course, be going outside.
So here's what I spent half of my weekend doing. Using some cypress boards from a deck my grandparent tore down, I constructed an 8' x 8' x 18" pen.
What I have left to do is build a hide box for him, although eventually I'll be moving at least one more of my redfoots out here when they get large enough so I guess it needs to be big enough for 2-3 adult redfoots. What would be the suggested dimensions for that?
I also need to plant a few shrubs in there, and build a wire-cover to deter predators. I don't have one for the sulcata, mainly because he is so shy, tough/heavy and retreats quickly to his shelters at the first sign of danger. But for a gimpy redfoot, I don't want to take chances. I have not seen anything hanging around our yard besides the occasional stray cat, but still.
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On a similar note, this is the main area I was planning on converting into a huge permanent, outdoor redfoot pen. My original plan was to use brickwork to encircle where the pen starts all the way around this huge tree, basically making a semi-circle adjacent to our backporch area (I don't know if you can see it in those pics).
My main questions are: A) What the heck kind of tree is this? I've been told it is a palmetto tree/bush, but not entirely sure, and want to confirm. All I know is that I hate it (completely blocks the view of the backyard from the porch), but lack the resources to get rid of it. Since it is here to stay, I figured I might as well put the shade to use in the future redfoot pen.
B) It periodically produces and drops these berries all over the ground. Are these safe for tortoise consumption? I know our dog used to routinely chomp them up with no ill effects, but wasn't sure. Again, I was told by a friend that they're safe, but was never sure.
So here's what I spent half of my weekend doing. Using some cypress boards from a deck my grandparent tore down, I constructed an 8' x 8' x 18" pen.
What I have left to do is build a hide box for him, although eventually I'll be moving at least one more of my redfoots out here when they get large enough so I guess it needs to be big enough for 2-3 adult redfoots. What would be the suggested dimensions for that?
I also need to plant a few shrubs in there, and build a wire-cover to deter predators. I don't have one for the sulcata, mainly because he is so shy, tough/heavy and retreats quickly to his shelters at the first sign of danger. But for a gimpy redfoot, I don't want to take chances. I have not seen anything hanging around our yard besides the occasional stray cat, but still.
---
On a similar note, this is the main area I was planning on converting into a huge permanent, outdoor redfoot pen. My original plan was to use brickwork to encircle where the pen starts all the way around this huge tree, basically making a semi-circle adjacent to our backporch area (I don't know if you can see it in those pics).
My main questions are: A) What the heck kind of tree is this? I've been told it is a palmetto tree/bush, but not entirely sure, and want to confirm. All I know is that I hate it (completely blocks the view of the backyard from the porch), but lack the resources to get rid of it. Since it is here to stay, I figured I might as well put the shade to use in the future redfoot pen.
B) It periodically produces and drops these berries all over the ground. Are these safe for tortoise consumption? I know our dog used to routinely chomp them up with no ill effects, but wasn't sure. Again, I was told by a friend that they're safe, but was never sure.
That would have taken me at least a week or two, but then again, I'm not good with building things.
