Okay forum members, Echo is my first tortoise, and he is a hatchling babcocki leopard tortoise. He is about 2.25-2.50 inches, the first question I would like to ask is simply - is it too early to get him outside this summer in a 4x4 enclosure? I live in the midwest and I only have about from end of may-august to give him time outside, and I want to make sure he gets some good old sunshine. If he can be outside at his small size I will include a picture of my design idea (sorry for the horrid drawing) but the basic is that I have ordered him a garden bed, 4 ft by 4 ft, I already made a post and its confirmed that the wood is safe and good for him. I plan on putting a log hide in his enclosure, as well as a tipped over pot, that he can climb into when he needs shade. I am also thinking of adding a piece of wood over one side of the enclosure to provide more shade, as it might actually be hotter in the pot or in the log. I plan on planting 2 spider plants to give shade and something to hide under, as well as grow some lettuce (or at least try) And plant some poppys and pansys as these are all safe for torts in case he wants to nibble. I also have an abandoned house accross the street and the lady does not treat her lawn or anything, and last summer she was dandelion infested, sucks for her yard but good for me so I can sneak over and grab a couple and try and plant them in the enclosure. Also i bought some grass seed to plant in part of the enclosure, I know leo's don't graze much as babies but figured i'd try. (However I do plan on feeding him foods he likes on a normal basis just in case, I have the pickiest eater). I plan on getting a paint pan to use as a water dish so it creates a ramp and is easy to get into, although I probably won't be filling it all the way because of his small size and the possibility of him drowning. In my state there aren't really predators however we have some cats in the neighborhood and i've seen dead raccoons on the road which tells me they are here as well. I've purchased a sort of chicken wire that has small enough spaces to lay over the top where nothing could get in but the suns rays will still pass through. As a precaution I am going to bring him inside during the night so I don't see predators as a big threat. Please let me know if this seems an okay set up, and if there is anything to add/take out. Thanks in advance! Also if I could throw in a side question? I'm not quite sure how old Echo is, but it appears that he still has his egg tooth? Judging that he is 2.25 inches should that be gone by now? I got him March 27th I believe, so I've had him over a month now, which makes him at least 4 weeks, And when he arrived, his scar from the egg sac was completely healed if that gives any indication of how old he was when he came. Thanks again!
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