Here are some pictures of the nursery set-up for our little Marginated tortoise. I bought a rubbermaid, and with the cutting wheel attachment, I cut the top out of the lid (it cuts like butter - way easier than using scissors or a knife!). Then I installed hardware cloth with zip ties. The purpose of this is to let sunlight in, but to protect Buttercup from cats, hawks, and crows while she is outside.
I filled the rubbermaid with a bag of ACE top soil (has no ammendments), and watered it well. There is a little hill with a flowerpot cave under the hill, and a valley with a little water dish. There is a little half log that I found in the forest, and a piece of bark. She likes to burrow under both during the heat of the day.
I planted the tub with the Tortoise Lady's seed mix, and the weeds growing in there provide food and cover, and help hold in the humidity.
I mist the tub 3x daily, and cover half of it to help keep the humidity in. I also move it around the yard over the course of the day so that half of it is in the sun, half is in the shade.
I bring Buttercup inside on nights that are projected to drop below 60 degrees, but she does actually spend many nights outside. I soak her once daily, too, even though I see her self-soak or drink several times each day. I love that she seems to know what she needs!
I filled the rubbermaid with a bag of ACE top soil (has no ammendments), and watered it well. There is a little hill with a flowerpot cave under the hill, and a valley with a little water dish. There is a little half log that I found in the forest, and a piece of bark. She likes to burrow under both during the heat of the day.
I planted the tub with the Tortoise Lady's seed mix, and the weeds growing in there provide food and cover, and help hold in the humidity.
I mist the tub 3x daily, and cover half of it to help keep the humidity in. I also move it around the yard over the course of the day so that half of it is in the sun, half is in the shade.
I bring Buttercup inside on nights that are projected to drop below 60 degrees, but she does actually spend many nights outside. I soak her once daily, too, even though I see her self-soak or drink several times each day. I love that she seems to know what she needs!
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