Natural insulation

[DoubleD1996!]

As the leaves fall, they make great natural insulation for your turtle and tortoise houses for the winter. My box turtles and tortoises love to nestle down in it along with mulch and dirt. I like to pack the leaves inside the houses as well as around the sides and on top. I got the idea for these shelters from the Arizona Game and fish, but added my own twist using roofing shingles I have left from house to make it 100% rain proof. I'll link their video below.

 

[ZenHerper]

Leaves are the best. They hold heat, air, and humidity Just Right over winter. Great thick piles prevent surface freezing in most temperate zones.

And they provide a great place for worms and other inverts to surface when spring arrives. The mulch is ready to feed nascent weed beds.

 

[wellington]

Yea, I know a lot of members use their fallen leaves to cover their hibernating Box turtles for winter.
I give my Russian them even though I don't hibernate him just cuz he likes to dig into them.