Photos of Our Outdoor Russian Tortoise Enclosure and Garden

Pearly

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ClarenceTort

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How big do they have to be to be kept outside for a few hours. I have a Russian about 5 “. We take him out twice a day to roam but have to watch him. I’m in process of building an outdoor area. Any thoughts
 

Oxalis

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Steve’s little outdoor universe is truly enviable! Absolutely LOVE the way you did his garden!
Many thanks!! Steve will never run out of snacks. ^_^
How big do they have to be to be kept outside for a few hours. I have a Russian about 5 “. We take him out twice a day to roam but have to watch him. I’m in process of building an outdoor area. Any thoughts
Steve was already an adult when I took him in from a friend, so I never had any experience caring for him as a baby. My instincts tell me that Russians are probably fine to get some outside time once their shell is completely fused, provided they get lots of soaking time so they can stay hydrated. I would also keep an eye on him if he's not in a confined enclosure like Steve. I could be wrong though, so I'll provide you with a better resource: Tom is a real expert on this and his night box thread should prove helpful to you: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

More photos of my native hibiscus; I love them!

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ClarenceTort

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So we are having an outdoor enclosure built5,x10’. Can I fill it with top soil and some of his reptile bark? I am gong to plant his food in there as well so he can eat as he likes but wasn’t sure if I could use potting soil for that. Any tips.
 

Oxalis

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So we are having an outdoor enclosure built5,x10’. Can I fill it with top soil and some of his reptile bark? I am gong to plant his food in there as well so he can eat as he likes but wasn’t sure if I could use potting soil for that. Any tips.
If the enclosure is outdoors, plain dirt is probably fine; no need for the reptile bark. Make sure that you purchase the type of dirt without fertilizer, chemicals, or perlite in it as this can be dangerous for tortoises. The important thing for Russians is to make sure the enclosure walls go down underground a good 6 inches or so, or to otherwise secure the underground area so your tortoise cannot burrow out of the enclosure from under the walls.

I have some river rocks and bricks—as Russians like to climb and to provide some "enrichment"—as well as some pavers to provide a warm basking spot. I would also provide some spaces for your tortoise to get enough shade. I have a cinder block, a terra cotta pot, and a little house I built with 2' x 4's. Steve also likes to hide under his Spirea/Meadowsweet bush, which a very easy shrub to grow and tolerates pruning.
 

ClarenceTort

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Happy Earth Day!! :cool: We just enjoyed a couple days of solid rain so the sunshine today was just lovely. Steve got lots of exercise while I got lots of work done. I'm feeling old this year so I wanted more stepping stones. Steve makes it hard for me to find him under his plants, so I needed more space to more around. I put most of the pavers in spots where the ground was low; hopefully this prevents some future flooding.

I removed some red clover and put in a couple plantains I found hiding in the yard. I moved his rose "tree" out to another part of the yard since the "trunk" died but the roots are growing new branches (and thorns). I planted a couple pansies a week ago and pruned the spirea bush. I also put in a couple small terra cotta pots, one with calendula seeds and the other with artichoke. If the seeds don't sprout, no big loss. I'm planning to get a couple new plants next month: campanula/harebell, geranium, and one coneflower (Echinacea sp.). If I need more space, there are plenty of primrose or aster plants I can remove. I think Steve approves. :)

Looking north:

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Looking south:

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Blackdog1714

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Sorry I always mispell- Plantain Weed and check alleys and yards that aren't sprayed. mine goes wild in the alley
Plantain-Weed-Benefits.jpg
 

Blackdog1714

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Russians are hard wired to patrol the perimeter and test the defenses for REAL! Any weakness and it will be found!
 

ClarenceTort

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Is it normal for these guys to try to climb out of the outdoor enclosure. My walls are 12” high. He’s not getting out but he spends his time trying. I told him he has to access the yard through a legal port of entry but he won’t listen!!![emoji12]

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Blackdog1714

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I added a repurposed aluminum fence panel with chicken wire for a cover. Works for all day even over a week if I vaction. I have a mason jar waterer (chickens) and have several edible plants. The yard sprinkler hits it once a day for 30 minutes
 

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Blackdog1714

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Okay mr overachiever I just noticed the detail work- every corner rounded and every surface sanded! [emoji50][emoji106]
 
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