FelicityExotics

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I won't need to build this for many years as Durda is only 7 months old, but I want all the plans set and ready so I don't have to struggle with it when the time comes. Here are my plans, what should I change or add?

I want to have a pen that is approximately one of these sizes: either 12'x12', 12'x15', or 15'x15'. I'll dig out 18 inches down and line the bottom and sides with cinderblocks and then cement them in place. This should be strong enough to keep Durda from burrowing too far or out past his pen, right?

To keep him inside the pen, I will line the edges above ground with cinderblocks and cement them in place as well. I know sulcatas are really strong, so the cement should keep him from knocking them down and getting out.

Winter temps here hover around highs of the 60s and lows in the 30s. Because of this, I'll need to build a little warm house for him. I figure a 4'x4' insulated box with a CHE on a thermostat will be sufficient, yes or no?

As for landscaping, I'll have a kiddie pool or similar for his water dish/soaking area sunk into the ground, and I'll grow the grass mixture in most of the pen except the perimeters so he doesn't trample it when he patrols around. I'll throw in different flowers and such throughout the year in pots and such.

How does this all sound? Will it work for Durda once he lives outside full time, and will it be enough to sustain his full size? (Or her full size, as I'm not sure yet if he's male or female.)
 

TriciaStringer

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You need to go as big as possible. I’ve heard a good starting point is 50’x50’. Anything less will not be able to stay grassy. He will eat it all before it’s able to grow back. They also needs lots of room to roam for exercise. Consider putting in a hill. You can also try planting an approved shade tree so it will be big and provide lots of shade by the time your cutie is ready to live outside full time. I’m looking at either fruitless mulberry trees or Natchez crepe myrtles for my shade trees. Problem is, mulberry trees aren’t sold around here and shipping is $50 for a $49 tree. I’ll probably have to go with the crepe myrtles and plant the fruit bearing mulberries somewhere else on our property and harvest the leaves.
 

TriciaStringer

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We are in the process of planning out new enclosures for a new property. We will build a full size 64x64 for our adult sulcata but do half of that for now for our two year old. I don’t want her getting “lost.” Then we will take our time adding on the rest for her. We will have major time constraints so it will help if we don’t make hers huge just yet.
 

FelicityExotics

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You need to go as big as possible. I’ve heard a good starting point is 50’x50’. Anything less will not be able to stay grassy. He will eat it all before it’s able to grow back. They also needs lots of room to roam for exercise. Consider putting in a hill. You can also try planting an approved shade tree so it will be big and provide lots of shade by the time your cutie is ready to live outside full time. I’m looking at either fruitless mulberry trees or Natchez crepe myrtles for my shade trees. Problem is, mulberry trees aren’t sold around here and shipping is $50 for a $49 tree. I’ll probably have to go with the crepe myrtles and plant the fruit bearing mulberries somewhere else on our property and harvest the leaves.
Dang...it'll be hard to find a yard with space that big, but I reckon I can make it work! If I can't, I'll try to go no smaller than 30'x30'--luckily I have time to figure it out. Funnily enough, my current home has a non-bearing mulberry tree in the front yard! But unless my grandparents (God forbid) pass sometime soon AND leave the house to me, this isn't going to be mine and Durdas forever home. Does everything else sound good?
 

FelicityExotics

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As for shade, I was thinking I'd build some kind of "patio," like a roof overhang from his warm box that goes a few feet out. So he can go under it for shade if he doesn't want to go all the way inside.
 

TriciaStringer

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I’ve tried the kiddie pool route. They work but get torn up and destroyed quickly. Expect to buy them often.
Alternatives are very large terra cotta plant saucers. I also have bought Tusco plant saucers. They hold up very well but aren’t cheap. You can also make a concrete pool and use a brush to clean it out each morning and refill it.

Check out the night box plans on this forum. They are posted by Tom. Great plans and they work very well. Insulated premade dog houses do not.
 

TriciaStringer

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As for shade, I was thinking I'd build some kind of "patio," like a roof overhang from his warm box that goes a few feet out. So he can go under it for shade if he doesn't want to go all the way inside.
Layers of shade are best, so consider planting a shade tree that goes over that overhang. I think in your area, you can build a burrow to keep him cool in the summer. It is too wet here for that.
 

TriciaStringer

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Sulcatas also don’t dig to escape. They dig to create a burrow if they are too hot. They dig down at an angle and do not dig back up on the other side. I don’t think you need to go down that far around the fence. Someone else may help you on that one.
 

FelicityExotics

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Sulcatas also don’t dig to escape. They dig to create a burrow if they are too hot. They dig down at an angle and do not dig back up on the other side. I don’t think you need to go down that far around the fence. Someone else may help you on that one.
I know, I just want to be on the safe side. I know they don't dig deep but they dig long, and I wouldn't want him digging so far that he causes damage to my home or something else.
 

FelicityExotics

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I’ve tried the kiddie pool route. They work but get torn up and destroyed quickly. Expect to buy them often.
Alternatives are very large terra cotta plant saucers. I also have bought Tusco plant saucers. They hold up very well but aren’t cheap. You can also make a concrete pool and use a brush to clean it out each morning and refill it.

Check out the night box plans on this forum. They are posted by Tom. Great plans and they work very well. Insulated premade dog houses do not.
I like the concrete pool option, thank you! I also plan on doing something like Tom does for the night box, should have specified.
 

EllieMay

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We are in the process of planning out new enclosures for a new property. We will build a full size 64x64 for our adult sulcata but do half of that for now for our two year old. I don’t want her getting “lost.” Then we will take our time adding on the rest for her. We will have major time constraints so it will help if we don’t make hers huge just yet.

Can’t wait to watch your progress!
 

Cherryman304

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I know, I just want to be on the safe side. I know they don't dig deep but they dig long, and I wouldn't want him digging so far that he causes damage to my home or something else.
There was a video I watched on Sulcatas that changed my whole perspective. On YouTube "Kamp Kenan" was the channel. Now I know the info he puts off has mixed reviews but the info wasnt what got me. There is an episode labeled "truth about sulcata tortoises" or at least similar. Anyway he went to sulcata ranch out in Arizona and OMG. If you want to see just how far an adult sulcata can dig check it out. I'll put it shortly I've seen smaller caves. Literally you could easily fit multiple people. The guy ended up having to get a backhoe out to dig the tort out as he was injured and needed attention. So when people talk about a sulcata digging. Yeah and they are good at it.
 

TriciaStringer

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There was a video I watched on Sulcatas that changed my whole perspective. On YouTube "Kamp Kenan" was the channel. Now I know the info he puts off has mixed reviews but the info wasnt what got me. There is an episode labeled "truth about sulcata tortoises" or at least similar. Anyway he went to sulcata ranch out in Arizona and OMG. If you want to see just how far an adult sulcata can dig check it out. I'll put it shortly I've seen smaller caves. Literally you could easily fit multiple people. The guy ended up having to get a backhoe out to dig the tort out as he was injured and needed attention. So when people talk about a sulcata digging. Yeah and they are good at it.
I saw that one too. Amazing diggers.
 

Cheryl Hills

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There was a video I watched on Sulcatas that changed my whole perspective. On YouTube "Kamp Kenan" was the channel. Now I know the info he puts off has mixed reviews but the info wasnt what got me. There is an episode labeled "truth about sulcata tortoises" or at least similar. Anyway he went to sulcata ranch out in Arizona and OMG. If you want to see just how far an adult sulcata can dig check it out. I'll put it shortly I've seen smaller caves. Literally you could easily fit multiple people. The guy ended up having to get a backhoe out to dig the tort out as he was injured and needed attention. So when people talk about a sulcata digging. Yeah and they are good at it.
Yes, I think the guy name was Bob Bloom, and I have three of his babies right now.
 

Professor Brenda

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You need to go as big as possible. I’ve heard a good starting point is 50’x50’. Anything less will not be able to stay grassy. He will eat it all before it’s able to grow back. They also needs lots of room to roam for exercise. Consider putting in a hill. You can also try planting an approved shade tree so it will be big and provide lots of shade by the time your cutie is ready to live outside full time. I’m looking at either fruitless mulberry trees or Natchez crepe myrtles for my shade trees. Problem is, mulberry trees aren’t sold around here and shipping is $50 for a $49 tree. I’ll probably have to go with the crepe myrtles and plant the fruit bearing mulberries somewhere else on our property and harvest the leaves.
Is Mulberry fruit safe for them to eat? I have many fruiting Mulberries. Wish I could bring you some.
 

TriciaStringer

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Is Mulberry fruit safe for them to eat? I have many fruiting Mulberries. Wish I could bring you some.
The fruit isn’t. That’s why I wanted to find fruitless. So I’m planting some fruiting ones in the front yard and we will use the fruit for jellies and wine and I’ll feed the leaves to my torts.
 

Yvonne G

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The fruit isn’t. That’s why I wanted to find fruitless. So I’m planting some fruiting ones in the front yard and we will use the fruit for jellies and wine and I’ll feed the leaves to my torts.
Len (turtulaslen) gave us a good tip on the fruit from a mulberry tree. If you prune the tree back drastically in the fall/winter, there won't be any fruit in the spring. I learned this too late for my several fruited trees, but will practice it this coming fall.
 

TriciaStringer

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Very
Len (turtulaslen) gave us a good tip on the fruit from a mulberry tree. If you prune the tree back drastically in the fall/winter, there won't be any fruit in the spring. I learned this too late for my several fruited trees, but will practice it this coming fall.
very interesting.
 

TriciaStringer

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Len (turtulaslen) gave us a good tip on the fruit from a mulberry tree. If you prune the tree back drastically in the fall/winter, there won't be any fruit in the spring. I learned this too late for my several fruited trees, but will practice it this coming fall.
Eric is looking foreword to making wine so he may not be a fan of that. Ha!
 
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