Hey all! I'm looking to build my Russian tortoise a new outdoor enclosure. The old one has done an admirable job over the years, but is tired. Plus, I'm moving and Mzee's going to have a much bigger yard to roam, so it's time to expand and improve.
I've been browsing through the enclosure threads, and have a good idea of what to build. I'm putting a $500 budget on it, and am able to construct just about everything on my own.
The one area that's stumping me a bit is how to winterize it for year round use. I live in North Carolina, so for the most part our winters are pretty mild. There will be stretches in the teens/20s with cold rain, ice, and occasional snow, but then the next day could be 70F+.
In the past, Mzee has come inside when it's not nice enough for her to be out. I have not hibernated her before, and though I know that's a perfectly acceptable option, do not want to attempt that this year. With this new enclosure, I would like to find a way to keep her outside year-round (with a back-up indoor enclosure if it's really bad).
To our experienced craftsfolk and keepers, do you have any suggestions for a year round outdoor enclosure WITHOUT hibernation in a climate like NC? Perhaps an enclosure attached to a smaller temperature controlled greenhouse that's closed off to her during hot weather? If there's any good threads you know, go ahead and tag them. I've been reading through a bunch, but there's thousands of them, so I'm sure I've missed some good ones.
Thanks!
I've been browsing through the enclosure threads, and have a good idea of what to build. I'm putting a $500 budget on it, and am able to construct just about everything on my own.
The one area that's stumping me a bit is how to winterize it for year round use. I live in North Carolina, so for the most part our winters are pretty mild. There will be stretches in the teens/20s with cold rain, ice, and occasional snow, but then the next day could be 70F+.
In the past, Mzee has come inside when it's not nice enough for her to be out. I have not hibernated her before, and though I know that's a perfectly acceptable option, do not want to attempt that this year. With this new enclosure, I would like to find a way to keep her outside year-round (with a back-up indoor enclosure if it's really bad).
To our experienced craftsfolk and keepers, do you have any suggestions for a year round outdoor enclosure WITHOUT hibernation in a climate like NC? Perhaps an enclosure attached to a smaller temperature controlled greenhouse that's closed off to her during hot weather? If there's any good threads you know, go ahead and tag them. I've been reading through a bunch, but there's thousands of them, so I'm sure I've missed some good ones.
Thanks!