Prepping for new enclosure

[bfr57]

Planning for a new outside enclosure for our 5 yo Sulcata and have some ideas I would like to run by y'all. First, I'm in southern AZ, so temps are really good for them. Second, the new area will be approximately 1000 sq' with one large Palo Verde tree for shade. I have some left over materials from construction projects that I would like to use. First, to prevent digging out, I thought about burying galvanized roofing metal 12" around the perimeter. Second, I have some pool fencing that I would like for the perimeter. It has 4" spacing between vertical rungs and would use some hardware screen to prevent even getting a head through. Some people say not to use fencing that they can see out of, but if fortified enough, is it OK? On the enclosure, I plan on making it big enough for a grown tortoise, but something I can grow with it by moving walls and enlarging the opening. What is a good "door" that they can get in/out of while blocking some of the wind. Would it be a good idea to make inside walls to help keep heat in during our cold days? I plan on fully insulating floor, walls and roof and using a pig blanket when needed. Any ideas or something I might be overlooking? Unfortunately grass is really hard to grow, so I won't be doing that, but plenty of hay, cactus, and others are fed.

 

[Tom]

1. That is not all that big of an area for a sulcata. Do you have room to go bigger?
2. No need to prevent digging out. They don't. They just burrow down to avoid the heat of the day. They don't dig back up. I like to start a hole for them in an area where I want a hole. Your tortoise will need to burrow to escape the 100+ temps of your area. An above ground shelter will not let them stay cool enough. The above ground heated night box will be great for winter though. I let mine burrow in summer and then close off the burrow in winter and make them use the warm house.
3. Pool fencing will not work. There is a reason "they" say to use a visual barrier. It is not a question of reinforcement. Its a question of them injuring themselves while trying to push through fencing they can see through.
4. Here are several ways to do the night box:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-effective-night-box.86632/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/daisys-new-enclosure.28662/

Here is one of my enclosures and a burrow thread:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/enclosure-expansion.38788/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sulcata-burrows.50846/

And here is a feeding thread with some ideas for you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Yes... that's pretty much it lol. My sulcata likes digging her burrows, and I'm aware it extend way far past her yard fence line, but she won't just pop back up

 

[bfr57]

1. That is not all that big of an area for a sulcata. Do you have room to go bigger?
2. No need to prevent digging out. They don't. They just burrow down to avoid the heat of the day. They don't dig back up. I like to start a hole for them in an area where I want a hole. Your tortoise will need to burrow to escape the 100+ temps of your area. An above ground shelter will not let them stay cool enough. The above ground heated night box will be great for winter though. I let mine burrow in summer and then close off the burrow in winter and make them use the warm house.
3. Pool fencing will not work. There is a reason "they" say to use a visual barrier. It is not a question of reinforcement. Its a question of them injuring themselves while trying to push through fencing they can see through.
4. Here are several ways to do the night box:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-effective-night-box.86632/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/daisys-new-enclosure.28662/

Here is one of my enclosures and a burrow thread:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/enclosure-expansion.38788/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sulcata-burrows.50846/

And here is a feeding thread with some ideas for you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

I went out an measured; it's just short of 1100 sq'. I could add some, but what's a good size? I like your underground enclosure and it's got me thinking. However, we have a lot of termites and a wooden structure wouldn't last. Thinking of using CMU and railroad ties. Are these ties OK or is the chemicals used something to stay away from?

1. That is not all that big of an area for a sulcata. Do you have room to go bigger?
2. No need to prevent digging out. They don't. They just burrow down to avoid the heat of the day. They don't dig back up. I like to start a hole for them in an area where I want a hole. Your tortoise will need to burrow to escape the 100+ temps of your area. An above ground shelter will not let them stay cool enough. The above ground heated night box will be great for winter though. I let mine burrow in summer and then close off the burrow in winter and make them use the warm house.
3. Pool fencing will not work. There is a reason "they" say to use a visual barrier. It is not a question of reinforcement. Its a question of them injuring themselves while trying to push through fencing they can see through.
4. Here are several ways to do the night box:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-effective-night-box.86632/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/daisys-new-enclosure.28662/

Here is one of my enclosures and a burrow thread:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/enclosure-expansion.38788/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sulcata-burrows.50846/

And here is a feeding thread with some ideas for you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[Tom]

I went out an measured; it's just short of 1100 sq'. I could add some, but what's a good size? I like your underground enclosure and it's got me thinking. However, we have a lot of termites and a wooden structure wouldn't last. Thinking of using CMU and railroad ties. Are these ties OK or is the chemicals used something to stay away from?

I'd go at least double that for an adult if you have the room. It can never be too large, so go as big as you can. My enclosure is around 7000 sq. feet, and I wish it were bigger.

I had to look up CMU. Cinder blocks will work fine, but line the inside with plywood for at least 24" up the walls to prevent shell abrasion. I wouldn't use railroad ties or any other chemically treated stuff in a closed off, damp heated hide.