Outdoor enclosure for winter

[megz86]

Hello I live in western Washington and we get a lot of rain and it can get pretty cold here in the winter with snow sometimes. Im trying to build an outdoor enclosure for my sulcata tortoise and I've seen some ideas online. Im building a heated shed for him that's insulated and then for the outdoor part does that need to be heated too or can he just roam free in the enclosure area without heat lamps during the winter months. Obviously his heated shed will be attached to the enclosure so he will have access to heat too. I saw some ideas of using a greenhouse attached to the heated shed and was wondering that would work. Another suggestion was to build the outdoor part of the enclosure with plexiglass and his heated shed attached so he can still get natural light but the heat will stay somewhat in there. I just want to make sure I build it right. I have a lot of space I can use to build it. I just have limited materials and money but I want him to be happy and healthy. So if someone could point me in the right direction so I know where to start.

Thanks

 

[SinLA]

@Maggie3fan can show you pics of what worked for her in your area…

 

[Maggie3fan]

Hello I live in western Washington and we get a lot of rain and it can get pretty cold here in the winter with snow sometimes. Im trying to build an outdoor enclosure for my sulcata tortoise and I've seen some ideas online. Im building a heated shed for him that's insulated and then for the outdoor part does that need to be heated too or can he just roam free in the enclosure area without heat lamps during the winter months. Obviously his heated shed will be attached to the enclosure so he will have access to heat too. I saw some ideas of using a greenhouse attached to the heated shed and was wondering that would work. Another suggestion was to build the outdoor part of the enclosure with plexiglass and his heated shed attached so he can still get natural light but the heat will stay somewhat in there. I just want to make sure I build it right. I have a lot of space I can use to build it. I just have limited materials and money but I want him to be happy and healthy. So if someone could point me in the right direction so I know where to start.

Thanks

Hi and welcome...I live in Corvallis Oregon...about 80 miles south of Portland. I have operated a small special needs turtle and tortoise rescue here for 21 years...I have had some Sulcata... How big is your's?...This is how I kept the bigger tortoises...
The tort shed is 20'x12 ft...It has an oil filled radiator type heater, a tort table and a sleeping box, 3 basking lights. with 3 hanging CHE's...it has a big 'sleeping' box with a pig blanket for sleeping on...The temperature stays consistently at 85 degrees...
I will attach a care sheet written by one of our experts that will give you better info on building a nightbox that is different that my shed.
There's 2 doggie doors. I also have 5 outdoor pens, and 4 tort tables in the house. I don't know how many Sulcata I have rehabbed here, 250 maybe 300, probably it just seems that way. Not all were Sulcata and I've learned so much by asking questions here and reading what other keepers have written. Here is green house placed over a 6ft tort table...you can find this greenhouse on Amazon.
Here's one more thing I need to say...I had a 100+ pound Sulcata tortoise who I loved dearly. He was 17 years old...This is him...his name was Bob. I loved him more than life itself. I cared for him like he was a King..and actually we called him King Bob..he was very popular. AT Christmas you could get your kids picture that with Santa for $10 , but you could get a picture of your kid on Bob for $5...
I used to say that an inexperienced Vet killed him, but the reality was...Bob just didn't have the opportunity to walk the 20 miles like he would in the wild. So my advice would be to make as big enclosure as you can... now because you won't get another chance
The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

They need exercise to digest food better and easier...

 

[Tom]

I just have limited materials and money but I want him to be happy and healthy. So if someone could point me in the right direction so I know where to start.

There is no practical way to do this in your climate. This species needs huge warm enclosures and they need it year round. Confinement to a small area during cold weather often results in their death in one of several ways. Letting them out to roam in cold weather is also a no go, though you will see pictures of people doing that all over the internet. Its not good for them and it shouldn't be done.

If you want him to be happy and healthy, then move to a more suitable climate, or send the tortoise to a mote suitable climate. Areas with frozen winters are not good for giant tortoises. You can't meet their needs without spending a hundred thousand dollars or more on winter housing.