Okay so I haven't been active in a couple of years since I built my Leopard's heated night box (Thank you, Tom!!!!) and my Russian's partially underground box (Thank you yet again, Tom!)
Anyway, this will be my second year letting my tortoise hibernate on his own outside. The box I built last year was a success, but it wasn't very well made. I'd like to make another hideout for him for this winter before it begins getting cold. I live in north Georgia, if it helps.
Few concerns. First, ants!! It's hot out and they're thriving just fine. I can't get rid of them and they love the shelter his box provides. Anyone have suggestions?
Second, water. Even with precautions being taken, there is still much more water in his burrow than I'm comfortable with, especially when it's time ti hibernate and it's cold outside. It tends to rain a good bit here so that's a concern. Summers are a nightmare trying to make sure his burrow doesn't flood. Suggestions?
Third, I can either build a deep burrow and basically lose access to him, or I can build one that isn't as deep but has a lid that I can remove to check on him or remove him if the temperature drops too low. The second option is what I did last season, but I'm not sure I want to go that route again. Thoughts?
Basically, who hibernates outdoors and what does your set up look like? All suggestions, plans, and photos welcome. My Russian is 10 years old, healthy and a good eater. No issues here on his end, last year was just the first I had a house of my own and a yard for him to have a safe, enclosed pen. This whole 'living outside year round' is still new to us both. Thank you for any and all input.
Anyway, this will be my second year letting my tortoise hibernate on his own outside. The box I built last year was a success, but it wasn't very well made. I'd like to make another hideout for him for this winter before it begins getting cold. I live in north Georgia, if it helps.
Few concerns. First, ants!! It's hot out and they're thriving just fine. I can't get rid of them and they love the shelter his box provides. Anyone have suggestions?
Second, water. Even with precautions being taken, there is still much more water in his burrow than I'm comfortable with, especially when it's time ti hibernate and it's cold outside. It tends to rain a good bit here so that's a concern. Summers are a nightmare trying to make sure his burrow doesn't flood. Suggestions?
Third, I can either build a deep burrow and basically lose access to him, or I can build one that isn't as deep but has a lid that I can remove to check on him or remove him if the temperature drops too low. The second option is what I did last season, but I'm not sure I want to go that route again. Thoughts?
Basically, who hibernates outdoors and what does your set up look like? All suggestions, plans, and photos welcome. My Russian is 10 years old, healthy and a good eater. No issues here on his end, last year was just the first I had a house of my own and a yard for him to have a safe, enclosed pen. This whole 'living outside year round' is still new to us both. Thank you for any and all input.