Kiddie pool for juvenile?

[RockChalk]

I don't have my Hermann's tortoise yet but I'm getting everything ready for him/her assuming I'll find the right one at the KC show on Sunday - possibly one under a year old.

I plan on purchasing a pretty small juvenile. I have reservations about me being a first timer and keeping a baby outside. I was wondering if a kiddie pool would be large enough for outside time during the day. We have plenty of chicken wire I can put over the top to prevent predation from wildlife (we have snakes, birds-a-plenty (including hawks), raccoons, opossums, skunks, neighborhood cats...the list goes on).

Right now temperatures are in the mid 90's and sunny and humid. I figured that's probably a great time for outdoor sunning, but I'd also include some shade on one side.

I think at first I'd be more comfortable 100% supervising outside time this year until he/she gets a bit bigger. I want to start letting him sun outdoors as soon as I can - like on Monday. Is this too soon? Do I need to let him settle first?

Thoughts?

 

[RockChalk]

By the way - the indoor enclosure is finished. I have a 100W mercury vapor lamp with the 100W rated hood for basking/UVB. I'm more comfortable if he's inside at night during my first summer as a tortoise buddy.

 

[Sosakan]

Sounds like a great plan! I'm thinking of a similar setup for my 2mo old, but I'm a new tort parent and worry too much about 'em

 

[ZEROPILOT]

You'll need more than just shade. keep in mind that babies need/like to hide. It makes them feel safe. So provide some sort of a little den or house for him. For little ones, sometimes a partially buried flower pot works well. (Place the hide out in the shaded area.)