Just Finished Outdoor Sulcata Pen

JOREK Sulcata

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Hello! We are adopting our first Sulcata in a week. Her name is Bogart and she is 15 yrs old. We have been doing a lot of research and reading these last few weeks in prep of her joining our family. We just finished building her 32'x28'x2' image.jpg image.jpg pen and we will be adding an enclosed area in the next month or so, until then she will have a dog igloo which she currently sleeps in. We also ordered a couple Prickly Pear, couple Hibiscus, and a Mulberry bush to plant around the exterior outside the pen. Looking for some feedback on the pen and any ideas on how to make it awesome for Bogart. Thanks!
 

Tom

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Hello and welcome to the forum.

I'm known for being nit-picky and blunt, but the following is all intended only to help you and your tortoise.

1. Its too small for a 15 year old. That would be a great size for a 8-15" juvenile. I'd go much bigger and it looks like you have the space to do it.
2. It way too out in the open and exposed. It would be way better if you built it half in and half out of some of that brush in the background there. Or encircle that tree that is close by in the pic. They need shade and cover in the hot summer months.
3. You already mentioned you are making a change with the Igloo, so I wanted to offer some ideas for heated houses. It seems like you already know this, but dog houses are not desgined for the needs of a tortoise, and they generally don't work very well without extensive modification. Here are a few ways to do a night house:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/double-door-night-box.129054/
4. Be aware that store bought plants are grown with systemic pesticides. They are meant for decoration and not expected to be eaten by anything. It takes a year for these systemic pesticides to dissipate. This might not be a problem for the opuntia or mulberry, but it really depends on the source. If they came out of a nursery, then soil from a giant pile that is treated with the systemic pesticides was probably used.

I hope these things are helpful. Here are a few other threads:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Here is my adult enclosure, just for fun:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/enclosure-expansion.38788/
 

leigti

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I don't have a sulcata so you can take this for what it's worth. But it looks like you have a huge area there, that is wonderful. So could you dedicate more of it to your tortoise? The more the better, especially with the big ones.
Check out the enclosures and sulcata sections for some ideas. Also, I think the sharp 90° angle corners could cause a problem. How big is this tortoise? They are pretty strong and can get up and over under and through a lot of things. Also, your tortoise is going to need some shade and protection from the weather.
 

JOREK Sulcata

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Thanks for the input. I based this pen on the recommendation of her current owner who has her in a 24x24 area. I didn't think having her part way in the woods would be good, but I suppose I should have asked before building. I did build a gate and we plan to let her graze supervised by one of us (my family has 7) several times a week. That big pine tree provides nice shade starting about noon and during the hottest part of the day approx 25-33% of the area is shaded. Keep the ideas coming. We are just starting!
 

JOREK Sulcata

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Also, all the posts are concreted in and the boards are 3/4". It's pretty rigid and is much stronger than what she currently is living in.
 

leigti

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I bet she would like to being part in the woods, they feel very exposed when they don't have things to hide under. And it would give deeper shade. You can always just add onto that pen I've increased my outdoor enclosure three times :) it would have been easier just to make it big in the first place. And if you put in sight barriers they will feel like it is bigger.
We love pictures of tortoises around here. :)
 

Eric Phillips

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I bet she would like to being part in the woods, they feel very exposed when they don't have things to hide under. And it would give deeper shade. You can always just add onto that pen I've increased my outdoor enclosure three times :) it would have been easier just to make it big in the first place. And if you put in sight barriers they will feel like it is bigger.
We love pictures of tortoises around here. :)

I approve of this message.....You have endless possibilities, how exciting!
 
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