MarginatedMooney
Well-Known Member
Phil the Marginated tortoise will be 2 years old later this month. He's currently 14.5cm (5.7in) long and weighs 490g (a little over 1lb).
Right now, he lives indoors in a 6' x 3' PVC enclosure. Back before it was winter, we were taking him outside whenever we could but due to his size and how quickly he's growing, I'm feeling like he could use more time outside this year.
I'm planning on building an outdoor enclosure for him this year and slowly introducing him to it in the spring until I feel he's comfortable enough to stay outside all day during the day. I plan on bringing him back inside to sleep in his indoor enclosure at night and he'll stay indoors when the weather is bad.
Is this a good plan at this stage? If it's too soon, should I just get him outside when I can instead of aiming to get him outside every day during the day?
Also, should I be worried about predators and make his outdoor enclosure predator proof? I'm worried about crows and fire ants. I battled with fire ants over the summer and fall and I think they're off my property but I'm going to have to watch out for them.
Right now, he lives indoors in a 6' x 3' PVC enclosure. Back before it was winter, we were taking him outside whenever we could but due to his size and how quickly he's growing, I'm feeling like he could use more time outside this year.
I'm planning on building an outdoor enclosure for him this year and slowly introducing him to it in the spring until I feel he's comfortable enough to stay outside all day during the day. I plan on bringing him back inside to sleep in his indoor enclosure at night and he'll stay indoors when the weather is bad.
Is this a good plan at this stage? If it's too soon, should I just get him outside when I can instead of aiming to get him outside every day during the day?
Also, should I be worried about predators and make his outdoor enclosure predator proof? I'm worried about crows and fire ants. I battled with fire ants over the summer and fall and I think they're off my property but I'm going to have to watch out for them.