Newly built outdoor enclosure.

[Leelee1234]

So last weekend i built a new outdoor enclosure for Waffles our Horsefield. I seeked some advice from my aunty as she has had hers now since i was born and is now 70 so she must be doing something right and as she recently moved to a new accommodation that don’t allow pets she has had to pass her to my cousin but this way gets to visit regularly.

Below are pictures of what i have done during the build and hopefully some people can give me some more recommendations. I have a house to add and need to add the shade area this weekend.

Our tortoise currently lives inside as is only young but thought it would be nice to get them out when the weather is nice until there old enough to go outside full time. We purchased him back in october last year.

 

[COmtnLady]

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!

Have you shown your Auntie the nifty outdoor pen yet? Its really nice that you have family members who love torts, too!!!

Have you had a chance to read this yet?

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

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[Leelee1234]

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!

Have you shown your Auntie the nifty outdoor pen yet? Its really nice that you have family members who love torts, too!!!

​

Yeah my Dad sent her a picture and she has messaged saying welcome to the world of tortoise keeping.

 

[COmtnLady]

I could be a tad on the biased side, but -

Here is the best place. The long-term members have raised hundreds and hundreds of tortoises, in all sorts of climates and situations, done lots of studying and keeping logs of details, and figured out the best ways to keep tortoises. Everyone will do their best to answer questions and help you help your tortoise thrive. There is an absolute gold mine of info here!

You should hook your Auntie up with TF, too! She could still be part of a tortoise community, even if she doesn't have one at the moment. I bet her knowledge and wisdom would fit right in!

How old is your tort?

.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Looking good! Will your tortoise be outdoors full-time in the future or just during daytime?

 

[Leelee1234]

Looking good! Will your tortoise be outdoors full-time in the future or just during daytime?

Unsure because his only a baby and brought it from a local pet shop so not 100% sure how old it is but im guessing between 1 & 3 but the weather here in Dover kent isnt always very hot. He didnt hibinate this year which i believe is common for younger tortises kept inside.

 

[Leelee1234]

I could be a tad on the biased side, but -

Here is the best place. The long-term members have raised hundreds and hundreds of tortoises, in all sorts of climates and situations, done lots of studying and keeping logs of details, and figured out the best ways to keep tortoises. Everyone will do their best to answer questions and help you help your tortoise thrive. There is an absolute gold mine of info here!

You should hook your Auntie up with TF, too! She could still be part of a tortoise community, even if she doesn't have one at the moment. I bet her knowledge and wisdom would fit right in!

How old is your tort?

.

I think somewhere between 1 & 3 as we purchased him from a local tortoise shop last october

 

[Tom]

I see a potential problem. What are the little white bits in the soil? Lots of them when you first dug it up, and a big one next to the tortoise in the last picture in the flower pot. If that is perlite, a common additive to store bought soil, it can be deadly to tortoises, and they will all eat it for some odd reason.

 

[Yvonne G]

That's a nice enclosure, and a pretty darned cute tortoise!!!

 

[Leelee1234]

I see a potential problem. What are the little white bits in the soil? Lots of them when you first dug it up, and a big one next to the tortoise in the last picture in the flower pot. If that is perlite, a common additive to store bought soil, it can be deadly to tortoises, and they will all eat it for some odd reason.

Yeah i read about the stuff mixed into soil but that white stuff is chalk we live in dover kent uk so have lots of chalk in the ground. Sadly no bluebirds though.

 

[Leelee1234]

Yeah i read about the stuff mixed into soil but that white stuff is chalk we live in dover kent uk so have lots of chalk in the ground. Sadly no bluebirds though.

So i read your post about beginners and tortoises advice and am now wondering if this stuff ive just purchased to place in his enclosure is ok

Below is a link but these are pictures from what ive purchased and will wait for your advice on if its ok before i add it to the enclosure as i really want to get this right.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BWRHB88C?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[Leelee1234]

That's a nice enclosure, and a pretty darned cute tortoise!!!

My Auntie sent me a picture today of her Tom today terrorising my in my nieces kitchen…is it just me that can see ET’s face on the shell lol