Outside enclosure question

[DixieParadise]

I am trying to incorporate my boxie pen close to my RF's. I discovered today that the previous owner had placed railroad ties along the back fence. Do any of you other boxie owners or those who have tortoises that dig think this will be enough to keep Jeter from digging under the fence or do I need to do more to that side of the enclosure? My enclosure back wall will butt up to the railroad tie, so that if he digs under the cinderblocks, he is going to run into the railroad ties.... Just a thought for ideas that I would put out there. Thanks in advance to all who answer.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi EJ:

I've heard it said that the creosote they use on the rail road ties makes it so its not a good barrier for turtles and tortoises. However, I have never paid attention to that sort of thing, and I have several places where there's a tortoise pen and a rail road tie. No adverse effects yet.

I've also never had a turtle or tortoise dig under a fence in escape mode. They dig, but to bury and hide, not to escape. I think what you have described will be ok. Just keep your eye on them for the first little while to be sure.

 

[DixieParadise]

Thanks, kind of what I thought. But you guys have been doing this much longer than I, so when in question...go to the experts. The railroad tie is on the other side of the pen. So, unless he actually burrows under, he would hit the railroad tie. Thought this would be safer than chicken wire.

 

[tortuga_please]

Shouldn't be a problem, they aren't going to claw their way through a railroad tie unless they get terrified, and even then I doubt it.

 

[yagyujubei]

Climbing, that's another story.

 

[DixieParadise]

Learn the climbing issue a few months ago. I know how to stop that....just wanted to make sure about the digging part.

 

[turtlemann2]

sounds good to me

 

[ascott]

I would not personally use railroad ties in an enclosure especially if they are in an area that will be wet alot and constantly.....if the ties are outside of the enclosure and are not in the path of flowing water (towards the enclosure) then it is less of a problem....

Again...simply my personal opinion