hides

[ryanp15]

outside tortoise hides

do people have ones similar to rabbit hutches?

is it true that it should be a couple of times bigger than your tortoise as this is how they will feel most comfortble?

I'm about to build a new one!

thanks for any help

 

[Yvonne G]

I built Dudley's (100lb male sulcata) out of cinder blocks lined with styrofoam sheet insulation then plywood. I made the outside dimension 8'x4' to make it easier to cut the plywood, etc. That was about 5 years ago. Over the years, Dudley has made his house start looking like the leaning tower in Italy. And after watching him over the years, I realize that 4'x8' is too big, even though he's pretty big! So this summer I'm going to tear down that house and build one out of plywood and 2'x4' studs and insulation...just like a regular house or shed structure. And, I'm going to make it half as big. It will be easier to keep warm in the winter if smaller.

One thing to keep in mind for an outdoor enclosure is place it in the shade. No matter what kind of "house" you build for your tortoise, if its in the sun it will eventually be a little oven.

Yvonne

 

[ryanp15]

thanks

yep i think i'll do something similar. I'll raise it off the ground a little aswell. He has got a hide at the moment but I thought it looked too big, he's only a meditteranean spur thighed

i don't think i'll be insulating it, it'll be filled with straw and he should hibernate in the winter anyway, or go in the viv. Does this sound ok?

Hope Dudley's house goes well!

 

[Yvonne G]

i don't think i'll be insulating it, it'll be filled with straw and he should hibernate in the winter anyway, or go in the viv. Does this sound ok?

Hope Dudley's house goes well!

As long as you put it in the shade, even a little dog house or dogloo would be good enough for your little guy.

When I get started on my "Dudley" project, I'll take pictures.

Yvonne

 

[ryanp15]

oh yes i forgot to say, it's definately going in the shade, you can sort of see the house (in progress) on my other thread.
thanks

 

[terryo]

I bought something that looks like a big rock, and is hollow. I am going to cut out a hole in the front for a doorway, for my Redfoot.
http://www.artificialrockoutlet.com/PriceRange/30To120Dollars

 

[Jacqui]

Terry, that is exactly what I am trying to locate around here for my Redfoot enclosure!

 

[ryanp15]

the rocks look like a good idea

I've cut all my bits of wood, ready to screw together

 

[terryo]

I found the rock in K-Mart here. Someone on another forum showed how they cut out a little doorway, and that 's where I got the idea.