New outdoor enclosure.

[James.lamantia]

I built a new outdoor enclosure. Let me know what I need to change.

 

[Renee_H]

I built a new outdoor enclosure. Let me know what I need to change. View attachment 380594

What sort of tort do you have?

 

[wellington]

So the sign says a Redfoot tortoise. How big is it?
A RF needs more coverage. And I don't see a water dish. Needs a water dish he can fit into. Otherwise looks good.

 

[Renee_H]

So the sign says a Redfoot tortoise. How big is it?
A RF needs more coverage. And I don't see a water dish. Needs a water dish he can fit into. Otherwise looks good.

Wow good eye! I didn’t even notice the sign!

 

[James.lamantia]

What sort of tort do you have?

Cherry head

 

[James.lamantia]

So the sign says a Redfoot tortoise. How big is it?
A RF needs more coverage. And I don't see a water dish. Needs a water dish he can fit into. Otherwise looks good.

The plastron is almost 7" and the I have a 14" plant saucer in the corner. It's hiding behind one of thr plant in the photo.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

A RF needs more coverage.

Agree with wellington. Check this thread out for shade ideas:

The importance of DEEP shade

Ok, folks, we need to talk about SHADE. You have probably (hopefully) heard tortoise keepers talking about the fact that tortoises need "DEEP SHADE" to retreat into on a hot Summer day (really any day that has air temps above 80 degrees). What do we mean by "deep shade?" - this is NOT...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Nice looking enclosure!! Perhaps for some deeper shade you could look at putting some sort of garden umbrella over one side?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I guess, it depends on the location of the enclosure - there is a nice shade from the fence and trees. So if it's the southern wall, the sun won't hit there during peak hours.

So the enclosure is really nice. Maybe I would add a couple of over top sprinklers.

 

[James.lamantia]

Agree with wellington. Check this thread out for shade ideas:

The importance of DEEP shade

Ok, folks, we need to talk about SHADE. You have probably (hopefully) heard tortoise keepers talking about the fact that tortoises need "DEEP SHADE" to retreat into on a hot Summer day (really any day that has air temps above 80 degrees). What do we mean by "deep shade?" - this is NOT...

tortoiseforum.org

There is a large tree that overhangs part the enclosure. It shades the majority of the sun during the peak hours. I will work on putting a shade cover over the enclosure to help. Would you cover the entire enclosure or leave a small section for full sun.

 

[James.lamantia]

I guess, it depends on the location of the enclosure - there is a nice shade from the fence and trees. So if it's the southern wall, the sun won't hit there during peak hours.

So the enclosure is really nice. Maybe I would add a couple of over top sprinklers.

First off I would like to tell everyone how much I appreciate your coments.

I have one sprinkler in the corner of the cage and another one just outside, on the opposite side. Do I need to put in overhead sprikler as well?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

There is a large tree that overhangs part the enclosure. It shades the majority of the sun during the peak hours. I will work on putting a shade cover over the enclosure to help. Would you cover the entire enclosure or leave a small section for full sun.

I wouldn't cover the whole enclousure, but lets see what @Alex and the Redfoot thinks, he knows more about redfoots than I do. You would probably have to consider how the sun moves through the day too.

 

[James.lamantia]

I wouldn't cover the whole enclousure, but lets see what @Alex and the Redfoot thinks, he knows more about redfoots than I do. You would probably have to consider how the sun moves through the day too.

The enclosure gets the morning sun. By noon the tree shades a good portion of of it and as the day continues the fence starts adding more shade.

I originally wanted to put the enclosure against the house, but the wife vetoed that location. When I picked this location I watched the lighting throughout day. The entire area gets full sun from the morning until around 11am. After that about half the cage gets shade from the large tree and it deepens as the fence starts shading the area. I thought it would be okay because it was shaded durring thr hottest parts of the day. I planted a mulberry tree on the side that wasn't getting shaded but it has a long way to go before it really starts helping.

Thanks again for everyone help.

 

[wellington]

I would try to plant more low plants like hostas it can safely eat if it wants but will give low deep shade and cover. You could plant a few in pots s/he can't trample and then a few in the friend. They, the hostas, do really good in shade. Then you don't need to use a shade cloth.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

The enclosure gets the morning sun. By noon the tree shades a good portion of of it and as the day continues the fence starts adding more shade.

I originally wanted to put the enclosure against the house, but the wife vetoed that location. When I picked this location I watched the lighting throughout day. The entire area gets full sun from the morning until around 11am. After that about half the cage gets shade from the large tree and it deepens as the fence starts shading the area. I thought it would be okay because it was shaded durring thr hottest parts of the day. I planted a mulberry tree on the side that wasn't getting shaded but it has a long way to go before it really starts helping.

Thanks again for everyone help.

That sounds like a perfect shading/timing. Redfoots aren't really basking species but do enjoy the morning sun.

I would not use shade cloth. But some more (3-5) low shady plants (hostas, like wellington has suggested or pumpkin/squash, boston fern, coleus or clumps of spider plants or carex) can be a good addition. Also you can make a burrow or pit, 5-6 inches deep and covered with something like a bark or log piece, so tortoise can wedge itself under it. Don't make it too deep if enclosure is flooded in rainy weather.

If you already have two sprinklers, no need to add another one.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

The enclosure gets the morning sun. By noon the tree shades a good portion of of it and as the day continues the fence starts adding more shade.

I originally wanted to put the enclosure against the house, but the wife vetoed that location. When I picked this location I watched the lighting throughout day. The entire area gets full sun from the morning until around 11am. After that about half the cage gets shade from the large tree and it deepens as the fence starts shading the area. I thought it would be okay because it was shaded durring thr hottest parts of the day. I planted a mulberry tree on the side that wasn't getting shaded but it has a long way to go before it really starts helping.

Thanks again for everyone help.

Considering this shade timing, I would go with @Alex and the Redfoot s suggestion.

 

[James.lamantia]

That sounds like a perfect shading/timing. Redfoots aren't really basking species but do enjoy the morning sun.

I would not use shade cloth. But some more (3-5) low shady plants (hostas, like wellington has suggested or pumpkin/squash, boston fern, coleus or clumps of spider plants or carex) can be a good addition. Also you can make a burrow or pit, 5-6 inches deep and covered with something like a bark or log piece, so tortoise can wedge itself under it. Don't make it too deep if enclosure is flooded in rainy weather.

If you already have two sprinklers, no need to add another one.

Perfect, I just wen and bought 4 addtional hostas based on @wellington sugestion. So right now I have pathos, 3 hybiscus, 3 spider plants, bromeliad, fountain grass, a snake plant, 2 air plants, the mulberry tree and the 4 hosta. Is there anything additional I should add?

Thanks again for all your guys help.

 

[Renee_H]

Perfect, I just wen and bought 4 addtional hostas based on @wellington sugestion. So right now I have pathos, 3 hybiscus, 3 spider plants, bromeliad, fountain grass, a snake plant, 2 air plants, the mulberry tree and the 4 hosta. Is there anything additional I should add?

Thanks again for all your guys help.

I don’t think I would because in that amount of space as those plants begin to mature it’s gonna be a lot of work to keep them scaled back to allow sunlight.

 

[James.lamantia]

Thank you guys/girls for tour help and suggestions. I reqlly do appreciate it.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you guys/girls for tour help and suggestions. I reqlly do appreciate it.

You are welcome! Now we desperately need some photos of the tortoise exploring the enclosure