outdoor tortoise enclosure blueprints (advice?)

[less.than.ash]

Hi guys!

I'm a long-time lurker on this website but I finally made an account. I have a russian tortoise, she's female and about 7 years old now. She's been indoor thus far, but I want to build her an outdoor enclosure this summer that ideally would be a home she can stay in during the summer / early fall / late spring (since winters can get cold and snowy here).

For some context, my mom adopted her for me when I was 12 as a mental health gift. I know, I know...we were both uneducated, and it was quarantine, I was in a super bad spot, she just wanted to help. And honestly, the tortoise did help; she's my best friend now, she indirectly taught me how to garden, and she's happy and healthy. That being said, I read from you guys on here that if it's possible to build an outdoor enclosure, you should, since consistent real sun is better, it's easier to find enough space for her, etc. I have been wanting to build her an outdoor enclosure for years for those reasons...but I wasn't handy, and I was a kid, meaning I didn't have the funds, my parents didn't understand it or see it as a necessity, and I also couldn't even drive to get supplies.

That being said, I'm a college student now, home for my first college-student-summer for 3 more months, and I want to do the right thing! I work, I can drive, and I can comfortably afford it!

Anyways, I worked on an idea for an outdoor enclosure and I want you guys to approve it for me, since I know there are a lot of experts on this forum.

The features are:

- 8x4 ft interior (I know you all say this is the minimum, but I'm building it on our deck and this is the most space I can accommodate, hopefully it's decent enough for her to graze)
- outer frame and walls made of PT lumber, approx. 23" above the substrate to discourage climbing, floor made of PT plywood, fastened together with galvanized deck screws
- 2-part hinged lid, with carabiners/hasp latches to keep them locked (worried about predators, I've got no dogs, but it's possible, though unlikely, for raccoons or hawks or something)
- galvanized hardware cloth stapled to the floor (to prevent her from digging or escaping), and to the lid frame (again, keep her safe from raccoons)
- hide box made of non PT plywood, painted with water-based latex, insulated, hinged lid, and heated with a CHE (so no light to bug her sleep schedule), and a thermostat in there to maintain 70-75f overnight
- basking bulb above her basking spot and supplemental uvb light, ik real sun is better but it's Jersey so there might be cold snaps or rainy weather or cloudy days, and if she wakes up early, she can heat up before the sun reaches her
- substrate made of 60:40 unfertilized topsoil and coarse play sand, maybe orchid bark layered on top
- terracotta saucer for water dish
- removable divider at around 48"; on the other side i want to plant the broadleaf testudo mix from tortoisesupply because that's what i've been growing for her and she loves it and it's easy , i was going to seed before i introduce her so she can graze but if she tramples it all and i want to give some time for regrowth i figured i could put the divider in to keep her away from it for some time before releasing her to graze again. i don't want to cut off that much grazing space for too long so i was also maybe going to have a pot rotation going too

These are the blueprints:



I can definitely afford a $500 build and I can go up to around $1k for tools and stuff. I know we have a power saw and a drill, but I was going to get a staple gun for the galvanized hardware cloth.


Let me know what you guys think or if I'm doing anything wrong. Again, I'm not that handy, and I haven't really done big projects like this before. I don't even know how to use a power saw yet...but I'm motivated, and I want to design her an enclosure that she's happy in. I want to do it right, though, and see what the experts think before I go off to home depot and buy anything crazy

 

[SiouxsieQ]

I can’t really help you out since I’m not that great at building things myself (my own 4’ x 8’ is alright but definitely could be better), and I’m not a tortoise keeper, but wanted to bump this thread for visibility. You obviously put a lot of thought into this and your blueprints + shopping list are so well organized! Hope someone can give you some pointers.

 

[less.than.ash]

I can’t really help you out since I’m not that great at building things myself (my own 4’ x 8’ is alright but definitely could be better), and I’m not a tortoise keeper, but wanted to bump this thread for visibility. You obviously put a lot of thought into this and your blueprints + shopping list are so well organized! Hope someone can give you some pointers.

Thank you so much! I can't start anything without making a bunch of plans and documents first

 

[Tortellini0000]

Yes love the detail. I’m sure a more will be along shortly. I will say that Iv learned that sand is not recommended as it can be an impaction risk. I’d love to see your progress and photos of your tort as you go also!

 

[Oxychan]

Hi guys!

I'm a long-time lurker on this website but I finally made an account. I have a russian tortoise, she's female and about 7 years old now. She's been indoor thus far, but I want to build her an outdoor enclosure this summer that ideally would be a home she can stay in during the summer / early fall / late spring (since winters can get cold and snowy here).

For some context, my mom adopted her for me when I was 12 as a mental health gift. I know, I know...we were both uneducated, and it was quarantine, I was in a super bad spot, she just wanted to help. And honestly, the tortoise did help; she's my best friend now, she indirectly taught me how to garden, and she's happy and healthy. That being said, I read from you guys on here that if it's possible to build an outdoor enclosure, you should, since consistent real sun is better, it's easier to find enough space for her, etc. I have been wanting to build her an outdoor enclosure for years for those reasons...but I wasn't handy, and I was a kid, meaning I didn't have the funds, my parents didn't understand it or see it as a necessity, and I also couldn't even drive to get supplies.

That being said, I'm a college student now, home for my first college-student-summer for 3 more months, and I want to do the right thing! I work, I can drive, and I can comfortably afford it!

Anyways, I worked on an idea for an outdoor enclosure and I want you guys to approve it for me, since I know there are a lot of experts on this forum.

The features are:

- 8x4 ft interior (I know you all say this is the minimum, but I'm building it on our deck and this is the most space I can accommodate, hopefully it's decent enough for her to graze)
- outer frame and walls made of PT lumber, approx. 23" above the substrate to discourage climbing, floor made of PT plywood, fastened together with galvanized deck screws
- 2-part hinged lid, with carabiners/hasp latches to keep them locked (worried about predators, I've got no dogs, but it's possible, though unlikely, for raccoons or hawks or something)
- galvanized hardware cloth stapled to the floor (to prevent her from digging or escaping), and to the lid frame (again, keep her safe from raccoons)
- hide box made of non PT plywood, painted with water-based latex, insulated, hinged lid, and heated with a CHE (so no light to bug her sleep schedule), and a thermostat in there to maintain 70-75f overnight
- basking bulb above her basking spot and supplemental uvb light, ik real sun is better but it's Jersey so there might be cold snaps or rainy weather or cloudy days, and if she wakes up early, she can heat up before the sun reaches her
- substrate made of 60:40 unfertilized topsoil and coarse play sand, maybe orchid bark layered on top
- terracotta saucer for water dish
- removable divider at around 48"; on the other side i want to plant the broadleaf testudo mix from tortoisesupply because that's what i've been growing for her and she loves it and it's easy , i was going to seed before i introduce her so she can graze but if she tramples it all and i want to give some time for regrowth i figured i could put the divider in to keep her away from it for some time before releasing her to graze again. i don't want to cut off that much grazing space for too long so i was also maybe going to have a pot rotation going too

These are the blueprints:

View attachment 400976

I can definitely afford a $500 build and I can go up to around $1k for tools and stuff. I know we have a power saw and a drill, but I was going to get a staple gun for the galvanized hardware cloth.


Let me know what you guys think or if I'm doing anything wrong. Again, I'm not that handy, and I haven't really done big projects like this before. I don't even know how to use a power saw yet...but I'm motivated, and I want to design her an enclosure that she's happy in. I want to do it right, though, and see what the experts think before I go off to home depot and buy anything crazy

The blue print looks ah-mazing so far!!!! For the basking spots, I like to put plants in some surrounding areas just to add some extra character to the enclosure, and hiding spots for my tortoise after he’s done basking.

Oh I also want to give you a tip to save your money, instead of getting a power saw! At Home Depot, they can actually do wood cuts for a MUCH lower cost (at my location and many others, it’s actually free, just ask the customer service desk to request someone to help you with that specifically!!). I do also recommend making a physical list of all the cuts you need before you hand the wood to them. This actually saved me a couple hundred dollars when I built my Simon’s indoor and outdoor enclosure!!!

 

[Blackdog1714]

Bigger is always better and defend against digging and climbing. Think monkey not russian tortoise for their ability to climb. Mine is an head, but is very aware of weather and using his heated enclosure. I put him out in march this year and had no issues.

Using wood for the base will mean it will rot very fast so be aware. Also if you could build the enclosure so it was seprate and outside the enclouse you add more space. If not consider putting it in the middle on one side to break up the libe of sight from one end to the other thusing making them walk around it to do a perimeter patrol.

The more detailed the plain the more you can get cut or cut at the Depot. IN the trim aisle they have a special stand for cutting trim with a handsaw so you could nock out some pieces there for free, but getting a set of your own tools is a game changer. I am a ryobi fan mainly for the battery tech and bundle prices. Maybe you have a neighbor that has way too many tools that could let you borrow some. So many options--- Good Luck!

 

[less.than.ash]

The blue print looks ah-mazing so far!!!! For the basking spots, I like to put plants in some surrounding areas just to add some extra character to the enclosure, and hiding spots for my tortoise after he’s done basking.

Oh I also want to give you a tip to save your money, instead of getting a power saw! At Home Depot, they can actually do wood cuts for a MUCH lower cost (at my location and many others, it’s actually free, just ask the customer service desk to request someone to help you with that specifically!!). I do also recommend making a physical list of all the cuts you need before you hand the wood to them. This actually saved me a couple hundred dollars when I built my Simon’s indoor and outdoor enclosure!!!

Thanks for the advice!! I do want to add some rocks and plants and decor for her to play with at the end since she likes having things to push around and hide under in her indoor enclosure. And maybe the weeds from the other grazing area will spread around which would be great!

And thanks for letting me know about the free wood cuts! I know my dad has a power saw, but I don't really know how to use it....so knowing Home Depot can do it for me would actually be amazing. Having a backup tool at home is nice too though!

 

[less.than.ash]

Bigger is always better and defend against digging and climbing. Think monkey not russian tortoise for their ability to climb. Mine is an head, but is very aware of weather and using his heated enclosure. I put him out in march this year and had no issues.

Using wood for the base will mean it will rot very fast so be aware. Also if you could build the enclosure so it was seprate and outside the enclouse you add more space. If not consider putting it in the middle on one side to break up the libe of sight from one end to the other thusing making them walk around it to do a perimeter patrol.

The more detailed the plain the more you can get cut or cut at the Depot. IN the trim aisle they have a special stand for cutting trim with a handsaw so you could nock out some pieces there for free, but getting a set of your own tools is a game changer. I am a ryobi fan mainly for the battery tech and bundle prices. Maybe you have a neighbor that has way too many tools that could let you borrow some. So many options--- Good Luck!

She always climbs around in her indoor enclosure and it shocks me sometimes what she can do...but with the galvanized mesh at the bottom and top I think hopefully she'll be discouraged enough!

That's a good idea too! I'll see if I can add it as an attachment but if not maybe I'll toy around with the positioning. And about the wood rotting, is it the substrate that'll make it rot? Or just weather? Maybe ill add a cover for rainy days or some kind of divider between the substrate and the bottom.

And thanks for the advice about Home Depot! I'm so excited!

 

[less.than.ash]

Yes love the detail. I’m sure a more will be along shortly. I will say that Iv learned that sand is not recommended as it can be an impaction risk. I’d love to see your progress and photos of your tort as you go also!

Thanks for the advice! I could swap it for coco coir or even have it just be topsoil with the orchid bark on top! We use coco coir and bark for her indoors and she's happy with it!

I'll be sure to share progress and pictures of her exploring as I go