Outside area

[esiotrot]

Hi

I've just started on my new outdoor enclosure for my 2 spur thighed tortoises (Greek). I live in the UK if makes a difference





I wanted any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[wellington]

Very nice looking. One suggestion, maybe some plants or logs for some hiding spots/shade.

 

[Jacqui]

I love the loggy look to the fence. Also that you don't have corners. As to the house covering thing. Are you going to make it so they can (when they have to be locked up) make use of the upper layers?

 

[esiotrot]

Very nice looking. One suggestion, maybe some plants or logs for some hiding spots/shade.

Well there's nothing to shade from at the minute, our weather is poor! But yes needing to sort out plants etc... I'm desperate to dig up the grass, but I'm in rented accommodation & not sure how it would go down :-/

My son chose this, but I'm not sure of it at the min...

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I love the loggy look to the fence. Also that you don't have corners. As to the house covering thing. Are you going to make it so they can (when they have to be locked up) make use of the upper layers?

Is no corners better?

I was going to use the upper shelves for growing trays of tortoise mix on, a greenhouse effect, but I like that idea. I always fetch them in on a night so I know they're safe.

My other thought was to fetch the small house at the bottom out & make a gap in the fence to include it & fill the bottom of the bigger house with soil for digging & rummaging in

 

[Tom]

Nice. My suggestion is to go bigger. Much bigger.

 

[Jacqui]

I do also agree with making it bigger, if you can. As for not being able to plant things, how about putting them in pots? Either pots secure inside so as not to tip over, but also they can be with the pots on the outside and ust hanging over into the enclosure.

 

[esiotrot]

I can probably make it half as big again, but that would be my maximum. I'll have a go at that. It's not fixed in place yet.

I definitely will be putting plants in, not sure which ones are best yet, they are definitely weed lovers!

 

[ascott]

I would not rush to dig up the grass, weed seeds will grow nicely in turf...so just drop some weed seeds into the grassy areas and let them take...the grass is a good food as well as the weeds.

I think the little multi colored dome is a fun thing to place in for shade (but on hot days it won't provide alot of coolness) but as suggested plants in pots in or outside of the fencing will certainly allow foliage to fall over the enclosure and provide some shade....

I like the idea of adding some dirt into the bottom of the house to allow the tort to muck about a bit and fluff up a spot for sleeping...

 

[JoesMum]

In the UK, you can buy suitable weed seeds from here

I wouldn't worry about the grass... it is natural substrate in the wild after all. If you feed your tort his leaves on the grass, he will ingest some... it makes great fibre to keep a tort regular!

A soft base to the house is a good idea.