Outside enclosure ideas?

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pallarez

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Hi I was just wondering what to get Lola for an outdoor enclosure, I want to make one for her when she goes outside and when she grows bigger, thankful for any suggestions.
 

Jlant85

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I PMed you some ideas. Something i would suggest, look at other peoples enclosure to get some ideas. The bigger the enclosure the better! From what i recall, you have a Russian correct? they love to dig and they are very good climbers. you would want to have the walls high enough so they can climb out and go deep down enough so they cant dig out. if you have other pets round such as dogs or other critters roaming around your neighborhood, you would want to have a caging on the top of your enclosure. I built a removable top w/ chicken wires so the sun is not being blocked. Research your plants. I use http://thetortoisetable.org.uk/ to get ideas on the plants i want on the enclosure. Have a hiding spot. Im actually building a burrow w/ a removable top w/ grass growing on it! Im also on the process of building a cheap green house for the colder days. Ill send you pictures when im done w/ mine =) Hope this help =)
 

pallarez

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shellfreak said:
What kind of tortoise?

A russian tort


Jlant85 said:
I PMed you some ideas. Something i would suggest, look at other peoples enclosure to get some ideas. The bigger the enclosure the better! From what i recall, you have a Russian correct? they love to dig and they are very good climbers. you would want to have the walls high enough so they can climb out and go deep down enough so they cant dig out. if you have other pets round such as dogs or other critters roaming around your neighborhood, you would want to have a caging on the top of your enclosure. I built a removable top w/ chicken wires so the sun is not being blocked. Research your plants. I use http://thetortoisetable.org.uk/ to get ideas on the plants i want on the enclosure. Have a hiding spot. Im actually building a burrow w/ a removable top w/ grass growing on it! Im also on the process of building a cheap green house for the colder days. Ill send you pictures when im done w/ mine =) Hope this help =)

What about the lighting? Like UVB light and stuff? And what about the winter? I live in Louisiana where it doesn't snow or get that that cold but still gets pretty chilly
 

Jlant85

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If outside, you don't need UVB lighting. The sun does all the job for you. Sun shine+tort = happy face... If your tort don't brumate, indoors in winter.
 

pallarez

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Jlant85 said:
If outside, you don't need UVB lighting. The sun does all the job for you. Sun shine+tort = happy face... If your tort done brumate, indoors in winter.

What if its not hot enough for the tort outside?
 

Jlant85

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As long as its hot enough you don't really need anything else. Place a flat slate directly under the sun so it heats up for their basking. Just a heads up, Remember, basking need to get as high as 85 degrees for tort to digest food. Hence the flat slate for basking.
 

pallarez

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Jlant85 said:
As long as its hot enough you don't really need anything else. Place a flat slate directly under the sun so it heats up for their basking. Just a heads up, Remember, basking need to get as high as 85 degrees for tort to digest food. Hence the flat slate for basking.

How would I have the slate ?
 

Jlant85

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Flat on the ground bigger than the tort so he/she can lay there.


What's summer like in your place? How hot does it get?


Just make sure your enclosure gets plenty of sun. A hiding spot if it gets too hot. plants provides good shadings + food.
 

pallarez

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Jlant85 said:
Flat on the ground bigger than the tort so he/she can lay there.


What's summer like in your place? How hot does it get?


Just make sure your enclosure gets plenty of sun. A hiding spot if it gets too hot. plants provides good shadings + food.




Summers are pretty nice and cool, the humidity here makes it feel like 80 all the Time but this seems like a really good idea but what do I put down for the substrate?
 

Jlant85

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ImageUploadedByTortForum1372178875.978672.jpgImageUploadedByTortForum1372178895.598828.jpg its not done yet. I have to still add a lot of stuff. Burrows, plants, and more weeds! Not that weed you pot heads! Lol... Dandelions, cat ears, clovers, etc... It can open on both side and can be remove. I'm building a removable green house for the colder days. I live in San Francisco. We really don't have a summer. We still wear sweaters on summer days!


Top soil from Home Depot! Let them know you using it for a pet and don't want it with chemicals. Organic as it gets!


Ill send you more pictures when I'm done. It's raining right now so I can't make any mods today.
 
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pallarez

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Jlant85 said:
its not done yet. I have to still add a lot of stuff. Burrows, plants, and more weeds! Not that weed you pot heads! Lol... Dandelions, cat ears, clovers, etc... It can open on both side and can be remove. I'm building a removable green house for the colder days. I live in San Francisco. We really don't have a summer. We still wear sweaters on summer days!


Top soil from Home Depot! Let them know you using it for a pet and don't want it with chemicals. Organic as it gets!


Ill send you more pictures when I'm done. It's raining right now so I can't make any mods today.




Thanks you've been a huge help with me and my tort [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
 

Jlant85

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pallarez said:
Jlant85 said:
its not done yet. I have to still add a lot of stuff. Burrows, plants, and more weeds! Not that weed you pot heads! Lol... Dandelions, cat ears, clovers, etc... It can open on both side and can be remove. I'm building a removable green house for the colder days. I live in San Francisco. We really don't have a summer. We still wear sweaters on summer days!


Top soil from Home Depot! Let them know you using it for a pet and don't want it with chemicals. Organic as it gets!


Ill send you more pictures when I'm done. It's raining right now so I can't make any mods today.




Thanks you've been a huge help with me and my tort [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]




No problem. Everyone here is always happy to help. Don't be shy and ask away!


And don't forget to post pictures! Lots of it!
 
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