New outdoor enclosure

KarenSoCal

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Got the above ground perimeter done today...on to the gate tomorrow!
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MrMarg&me

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My dad lives in Palm Desert. We drive over the mountain to visit him several times a year. We always look for the bighorn sheep and we have enjoyed multiple sightings. Your tortoise enclosure looks like a pleasant place to be a tortoise and to visit one. I have been enjoying your posts on your new adventure in tortoise care. Looking forward to seeing more of the building and completion of your project.
 

Gabriel Luna

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This is for a desert tortoise?
I believe you need to dig more the fence because the desert tortoise likes to dig and escape from that.
 

KarenSoCal

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My dad lives in Palm Desert. We drive over the mountain to visit him several times a year. We always look for the bighorn sheep and we have enjoyed multiple sightings. Your tortoise enclosure looks like a pleasant place to be a tortoise and to visit one. I have been enjoying your posts on your new adventure in tortoise care. Looking forward to seeing more of the building and completion of your project.
Thank you! It's an adventure!
 

KarenSoCal

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Digging a burrow! I live where it gets to 115-120 deg in summer. Am I on the right path here? Will line tunnel and chamber with wood planks, and cover with 2 x 4's and plywood. How deep does chamber have to be, and how wide the tunnel? Does the tort have to be able to turn around in tunnel, or just chamber?
Hope this all makes sense...
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Levi the Leopard

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The one and only time I made a burrow for a CDT, I made the tunnel wide enough for him to turn around in. I also left the bottom of the chamber, dirt. That way he could slightly adjust it if needed.

Like in your plans, I covered mine with wood and then lots of dirt on top! I used some bricks to make a brick planter over the burrow so it looked manicured instead like a sloppy mound of dirt.
 

KarenSoCal

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The one and only time I made a burrow for a CDT, I made the tunnel wide enough for him to turn around in. I also left the bottom of the chamber, dirt. That way he could slightly adjust it if needed.

Like in your plans, I covered mine with wood and then lots of dirt on top! I used some bricks to make a brick planter over the burrow so it looked manicured instead like a sloppy mound of dirt.
Sounds like what I'm doing! I'll be putting dirt on top as well, and leaving the chamber floor dirt. But must line it, since mostly sand here.
 

KarenSoCal

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This is amazing. You are inspiring me. Thank you for sharing your progress and detailed layout! <3
Thank you! Our worst problem right now is the heat! We're being broiled! The desert is not always a dry heat! And we only have a week til we take possession of this critter, so onward we go! [emoji2]
 

KarenSoCal

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REMAINDER OF ENCLOSURE BUILD

It's done except for a few little things!
The burrow is done!
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2 ground level drinking/soaking dishes, and cement tiles for meals.
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We also installed a faucet just out of view of the camera.

What a job this has been! I sure hope Kenai loves it. We expect him here this evening. And he may be in for a nickname...we've been referring to him as "Chug".
 

MrMarg&me

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The finished burrow looks very natural! Chug is a great name for a tort. In my opinion.:) Looking forward to seeing him in his new home. Thank you for sharing the process.
 

KarenSoCal

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The finished burrow looks very natural! Chug is a great name for a tort. In my opinion.:) Looking forward to seeing him in his new home. Thank you for sharing the process.
You're very welcome, and thank you! I look forward to more dirt and some planting on top. [emoji217] [emoji259] [emoji256] [emoji264]
 
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