Ive read a bunch of other threads on the subject but what I really want are pictures from everybody who has had successful winters. I have a few options on what to do with my beloved Howard this winter and I just want to see what makes the most sense. I have a dog kennel that's 6' by 12' that he stays in now. I want to use PVC and greenhouse plastic to turn it into a green house. Then I want to make him much larger house than hte hide box he has now that's 1/2 in ground and measures 6' by 4' that would leave a 6' by 8' area if he wanted to get out where its cooler. I would put heating elements in the "greenhouse" and in his large house. I also want to put 2 wood crates in the bottom of his house with heating pads so he is getting heat from underneath as well has a hanging fixture above. I would love to see pitures of your home made tortoise houses. I have an idea of what I want mine to look like but I enjoy seeing others ideas. Howard is still small enough that I could keep him in the house along with Richard if I wanted to but that would mean reducing the amount of space he has by a lot so Id like to be able to give him as much room as possible. Show off your work!
Winter construction and preparation
- Thread starter Hillygirl
- Start date
Is Howard a sulcata? If I remember, greenhouses aren't supposed to have good air circulation and they get very hot... could someone correct that if I'm wrong please?
Yes Howard she adopted from me. S(he) is around 10" or so. Greenhouses should be well circulated because they can get so hot. Building a true greenhouse can be tough though keeping the temperatures desired for tortoises during winter.
If you did a green house you would have to be able to open it up and closet up to regulate the heat. I would enclose it with wood and insulation. Then you could add the green house to that and allow him to go into it if he wanted. Check out Toms night boxes he makes for his sullies in Cali.
Thanks! The glass would trap heat and become a little oven... poor Howard
I wouldn't be using glass it would be plastic that could rolled up and down on the sides depending on the day. I could also keep him in the barn or like I said in the house. I'm just getting opinions. and ideas. We have 64 areas so I could even build a shed that's better. I am very open to suggestions and like I said I have a lot of room
