So my little sulcata is still only 5-6" in shell length, and I'm confident it'll be at least another year or so before he needs to be stuck outside. Nevertheless, I don't want to procrastinate too long, and hopefully this fall/winter, I want to break ground with an outdoor enclosure.
I live in Southwest Alabama, which I feel is adequate for most of the year. In the winter (Dec-Feb), average daytime temps are 58'65'F, and nighttime temps are 40-45'F. Are those too extreme for a sulcata? Would he need to be kept indoors 24/7 during those months?
Also, I understand all of this will cost a fair amount of effort and money, but what are some relatively economical ideas for a hide/shelter/"tortoise" shed?
From what I understand so far, while they do certainly have a propensity for extreme excavation, sulcatas typically prefer to dig just to escape the heat and sunlight. I would really like to hear how others have designed their outdoor habitats. Specifically, designs of the shelter, how much water to provide, how large the enclosure should be, what materials work best for the walls, how deep to place the walls, etc?
Right now, I'm mainly thinking of using cinder blocks, and plywood.
I'm also toying with the idea of converting our garage into a indoor habitat. Its pretty sizable already. I don't know the exact sq footage, but its certainly large enough to accommodate 4 full-sized vehicles. Would this be more or less economical than just building an outdoor enclosure?
I live in Southwest Alabama, which I feel is adequate for most of the year. In the winter (Dec-Feb), average daytime temps are 58'65'F, and nighttime temps are 40-45'F. Are those too extreme for a sulcata? Would he need to be kept indoors 24/7 during those months?
Also, I understand all of this will cost a fair amount of effort and money, but what are some relatively economical ideas for a hide/shelter/"tortoise" shed?
From what I understand so far, while they do certainly have a propensity for extreme excavation, sulcatas typically prefer to dig just to escape the heat and sunlight. I would really like to hear how others have designed their outdoor habitats. Specifically, designs of the shelter, how much water to provide, how large the enclosure should be, what materials work best for the walls, how deep to place the walls, etc?
Right now, I'm mainly thinking of using cinder blocks, and plywood.
I'm also toying with the idea of converting our garage into a indoor habitat. Its pretty sizable already. I don't know the exact sq footage, but its certainly large enough to accommodate 4 full-sized vehicles. Would this be more or less economical than just building an outdoor enclosure?