Outdoor habitat ideas

[Taryn73]

Hi all! I'm looking for some advice on my outdoor enclosure for my two redfoot tortoises that are about three years old. I live in SW Florida. I just finished extending my Lanai for them. Their main house is always accessible for them but it's under the covered part of the Lanai. I'm going to make a large concrete water bowl, plant more edible plants, and make sure they have deep shade. My biggest concern is what to use for substrate. I definitely want a variety for them. Maybe some grass and cypress mulch. What else would be good? Right now it's just natural dirt and some old cypress mulch. I know orchid bark is good but think it may be too large of an area and not cost effective? I also plan on hosing it down once a day to keep up the humidity. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate it! Thanks!!!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Wow! What a stunning space you’ve created!!

The dirt/earth from your yard will work just fine, but you could always lay down some bark&slabs for some different textures

Perhaps you’ll find some nice ideas in here for how to lay things out!

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Also one thing possibly worth noting, are they housed together as a pair? tortoise of any species should NEVER be housed in pairs under any circumstances, they’re incredibly territorial, behaviours that look cute to us really aren’t, following one another and sleeping huddled up is all bullying the the tortoise world, you’ll eventually see more extreme signs of aggression. Anyone who tells you pairs are fine, have no idea what they’re talking about, many breeders sell them as pairs unfortunately, especially red foots because they’re technically considered the more social species, but this still doesn’t permit to pair dynamics, stress can often be difficult to pick up on until it’s too late.

Small groups are ok when there’s lots of land and the correct male to female ratio, perhaps if yours are sexed you could consider a trio? Failing that there’s lots of ideas for splitting your enclosure in two in that thread above

 

[Taryn73]

Wow! What a stunning space you’ve created!!

The dirt/earth from your yard will work just fine, but you could always lay down some bark&slabs for some different textures

Perhaps you’ll find some nice ideas in here for how to lay things out!

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Also one thing possibly worth noting, are they housed together as a pair? tortoise of any species should NEVER be housed in pairs under any circumstances, they’re incredibly territorial, behaviours that look cute to us really aren’t, following one another and sleeping huddled up is all bullying the the tortoise world, you’ll eventually see more extreme signs of aggression. Anyone who tells you pairs are fine, have no idea what they’re talking about, many breeders sell them as pairs unfortunately, especially red foots because they’re technically considered the more social species, but this still doesn’t permit to pair dynamics, stress can often be difficult to pick up on until it’s too late.

Small groups are ok when there’s lots of land and the correct male to female ratio, perhaps if yours are sexed you could consider a trio? Failing that there’s lots of ideas for splitting your enclosure in two in that thread above

Thanks for the input!! I will check out the thread! They are separated. I was a newbie, technically still am, and bought them from a well known breeder about two and a half years ago who told me they can be housed together. Well, about a year and a half later and a butt load of research, my cherry head started showing exactly what you mentioned and I knew it was bullying. Since then, they are completely separated. Occasionally they come across each other under my supervision and he is obsessed with her. No biting or ramming but seeking her out, bobbing his head, and staring. I'm not sure yet what their sex is. My reptile vet seems to think they are both males but I posted photos a while back and everyone said female. You can also see in the photos there is a brick wall separating them. They have separate houses as well. It's definitely a pain but I don't want anymore and I would never get rid of him.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks for the input!! I will check out the thread! They are separated. I was a newbie, technically still am, and bought them from a well known breeder about two and a half years ago who told me they can be housed together. Well, about a year and a half later and a butt load of research, my cherry head started showing exactly what you mentioned and I knew it was bullying. Since then, they are completely separated. Occasionally they come across each other under my supervision and he is obsessed with her. No biting or ramming but seeking her out, bobbing his head, and staring. I'm not sure yet what their sex is. My reptile vet seems to think they are both males but I posted photos a while back and everyone said female. You can also see in the photos there is a brick wall separating them. They have separate houses as well. It's definitely a pain but I don't want anymore and I would never get rid of him.

Bless you that’s completely fair enough, they obviously have a nice life with you! I love your enclosures and I’m glad they each have their own space

 

[Taryn73]

Hi guys!! I wanted to give an update on my progress! It's still a work in progress, but it's coming along. If any of you have ideas or see something that doesn't look right, let me know! I'm growing more edible plants to incorporate also. They still aren't quite acclimated being out here as they lived indoors for winter because I didn't have the right setup and now they want to be inside 24/7 so they have some slow adjusting to do. I do bring them inside at night. I got a nifty sprinkler that's on a timer and keeps the outdoor part humid. I do think I'm going to have to make the wood divider higher since Bruce is already trying to look over it.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi guys!! I wanted to give an update on my progress! It's still a work in progress, but it's coming along. If any of you have ideas or see something that doesn't look right, let me know! I'm growing more edible plants to incorporate also. They still aren't quite acclimated being out here as they lived indoors for winter because I didn't have the right setup and now they want to be inside 24/7 so they have some slow adjusting to do. I do bring them inside at night. I got a nifty sprinkler that's on a timer and keeps the outdoor part humid. I do think I'm going to have to make the wood divider higher since Bruce is already trying to look over it.

Such a fantastic space! it looks beautiful!!

I probably agree with you about the wooden barrier, I’d go a plank higher for good measure. I’d also personally replace the fake grass stuff on the ramp of the houses with some anti slip grip tape.

Absolutely love it, thanks for sharing!

 

[Taryn73]

Such a fantastic space! it looks beautiful!!

I probably agree with you about the wooden barrier, I’d go a plank higher for good measure. I’d also personally replace the fake grass stuff on the ramp of the houses with some anti slip grip tape.

Absolutely love it, thanks for sharing!

Thanks!! I'll look into the grip tape!