Predator proofing

[Elliriyanna]

I’ve noticed a lot of tortoise pens are not enclosed or predator proofed. Is there a certain size or conditions when it’s ok to not have a predator proof enclosure? I know in my area raccoons, skunks and opossums are really the only predators and even they are rarely seen ( of course
They are nocturnal but none really seen as roadkill

 

[wellington]

Tortoises should be locked up at night when most predators are roaming around and let back out in the morning. Most day time predators are birds of prey and babies need to be protected then. Most junior to adults are not usually bothered at a larger size.

 

[SinLA]

mine gets locked up every night...

 

[Tim Carlisle]

I have loud proximity alarms that also trigger flood lights, and a 6' fence enclosing my back yard. My tort house is also locked up at night. We have a coyote problem around here.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

They definitely need a space to be locked up at night for safety

If you have a smaller species and worried about predators during the day, there’s lots of different ways people make things safer, perhaps you’ll like looking through this thread I made, I included some of those different ways if you scroll down

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

 

[Elliriyanna]

Tortoises should be locked up at night when most predators are roaming around and let back out in the morning. Most day time predators are birds of prey and babies need to be protected then. Most junior to adults are not usually bothered at a larger size.

This is kind of what i was leaning towards. How do people move in giant species though?

 

[Elliriyanna]

They definitely need a space to be locked up at night for safety

If you have a smaller species and worried about predators during the day, there’s lots of different ways people make things safer, perhaps you’ll like looking through this thread I made, I included some of those different ways if you scroll down

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

Oh I have lots of ideas lol, just figuring out if what I am planning is overkill lol

 

[wellington]

This is kind of what i was leaning towards. How do people move in giant species though?

They usually do it on their own as they have been doing it since little. Even babies should be coaxed to sleep in their hide at night. When moved outside, which is not at a a huge size yet, you once again coax them into the hide, or just put them there. It's not usually long and they are doing it themselves. Once in a while you might have one that wants to stay out a particular night. That's when a favorite food helps.

 

[Elliriyanna]

They usually do it on their own as they have been doing it since little. Even babies should be coaxed to sleep in their hide at night. When moved outside, which is not at a a huge size yet, you once again coax them into the hide, or just put them there. It's not usually long and they are doing it themselves. Once in a while you might have one that wants to stay out a particular night. That's when a favorite food helps.

See when bringing them in for the night was mentioned I literally thought into the house or an indoor enclosure. It didn’t seem practical to do that with many different animals putting them out each morning and taking them back in each night but I am considering it.

 

[wellington]

See when bringing them in for the night was mentioned I literally thought into the house or an indoor enclosure. It didn’t seem practical to do that with many different animals putting them out each morning and taking them back in each night but I am considering it.

They put them in the night box/shed that should be available 24/7. Not in their human house.
Some will bring them in to the human house at night but they really should have a night box available during the day too.

 

[Elliriyanna]

They put them in the night box/shed that should be available 24/7. Not in their human house.
Some will bring them in to the human house at night but they really should have a night box available during the day too.

I think part of the “ misunderstanding” so to speak was that the entire enclosure itself is not actually predator proof, only the night box

 

[wellington]

I think part of the “ misunderstanding” so to speak was that the entire enclosure itself is not actually predator proof, only the night box

With larger species the enclosure doesn't need to be predator proof. My leopards are out in a big yard. The only cover is of a tree and taller weeds but always access to their summer hide.
Babies need to have the whole enclosure covered if not watched.

 

[Elliriyanna]

With larger species the enclosure doesn't need to be predator proof. My leopards are out in a big yard. The only cover is of a tree and taller weeds but always access to their summer hide.
Babies need to have the whole enclosure covered if not watched.

Yeah I was just wondering if there’s a size that the rules kind of shift to not worry about predators as much

 

[wellington]

Yeah I was just wondering if there’s a size that the rules kind of shift to not worry about predators as much

I'd say around 10 inches
The smaller species like Russians, Hermanns, etc,could likely be lifted. However, I don't think tortoise is really on a birds menu if there is other wildlife around.
Even my small adult Russian has no cover on his enclosure, but his enclosure is all grass and weeds. The hawks and falcons in my area go for birds, rabbits and squirrels, and they are around my house/neighborhood almost daily.

 

[Elliriyanna]

I'd say around 10 inches
The smaller species like Russians, Hermanns, etc,could likely be lifted. However, I don't think tortoise is really on a birds menu if there is other wildlife around.
Even my small adult Russian has no cover on his enclosure, but his enclosure is all grass and weeds. The hawks and falcons in my area go for birds, rabbits and squirrels, and they are around my house/neighborhood almost daily.

Same, we had a dozen robins in our yard just the other day

 

[wellington]

Regular birds like robins are no threat. Crow and Ravens on up could be. But again, not a big threat to adults.

 

[Elliriyanna]

Regular birds like robins are no threat. Crow and Ravens on up could be. But again, not a big threat to adults.

Oh I know I just meant that there are plenty of other food sources other than the turtle. Yeah those beaks are not made to be able to damage skin really. We have some raptwors but around here you usually see them near roads and open fields. Easier to hunt that way. Sounds like if my turtle is female she MAY get big enough for less protection if male full protection will be needed.

 

[Elliriyanna]

Regular birds like robins are no threat. Crow and Ravens on up could be. But again, not a big threat to adults.

I have a turtle but the information is relevant to tortoises as well so I asked here

 

[SinLA]

But there are different kinds of predators: Rats, Racoons, and Fire Ants don't care how big or little your tortoise is so it really depends on where you are. I don't have to worry about ants (thank god) but I did have a cricket problem when I had a heated outdoor house. I do have to worry about rats and racoons, and I guess outdoor cats as a possibility but not sure they'd be interested in a sleeping tortoise. Not sure a coyote would be interested in a tort the size of a Russian either...