soon to be CDT owner

[Kali 55]

Im really excited to be getting a young CDT in a week or so! I have built a large outdoor pen with a bottom to it so it can be moveable and was wondering what type of dirt to fill it with. I have read organic topsoil/ play sand mixture, but am having a hard time finding a topsoil with absolutly no additives in it. Any recommendations?

 

[dmmj]

Welcome
Lowes sells a bag of supersoil, with no additives, for about 8 dollars.

 

[ascott]

Hmm? What type of dirt is your home surrounded by?

 

[Laura]

once you put the dirt in it.. it probably will be too heavy to move.. I did that with a kiddie pool,,, and it didnt move after I finished it!
where are you getting the tort from?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Kali 55:

Welcome to the forum!!

May we know your name and where you are?

If you want a moveable pen, leave the bottom out. You can just nail together some boards into a square and set it on the grass. That way the tortoise can graze. When you want to move it, it picks up easy. Tom and AldabraMan both have pictures of these on the forum someplace.

 

[dmarcus]

Hello and welcome to the forum and congrats on the CDT..

 

[Angi]

Wewlcome. CDTs a so fun!

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Sorry I posted without looking at what I typed WELCOME!

 

[Kali 55]

Thanks for all the replies! Well, I wanted to leave the bottom out but since we use pesticides on our grass, I wouldnt want him grazing on it. Im located in central california, pretty close to their native land. And I would have to dig up my backyard to get dirt to fill it with which wouldnt thrill my boyfriend much. I am getting the cdt from a lady that I was referred to by the california turtle and tortoise trust who needs to rehome a few of her torts. I have been wanting a cdt for so long, just havent had the opportunity to get one untill now! My name is actually Kali by the way =]

 

[Torty Mom]

You may be close to me, I'm in Bakersfield. Are you getting the tortie thru the Kern chapter? Yay for you! I have 4 hatchlings and they are awesome! It's amazing how fast they grow!!!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Kali:

I'm in Central California too (Clovis, near Fresno). Desert tortoises are one of my favorite species. Good luck and be sure to shoot us some pictures when you get a chance.

 

[Kali 55]

Yep, Im in Bakersfield too! Yeah, I was going to send in an adoption application to the kern chapter but Don actually referred me to a lady with 5 juvies needing homes. So I lucked out! Unfortunatly I can only get one or two. I would take all five if I could.

 

[Torty Mom]

We need to get together and meet! Do you want to go to the CTTC meeting next Friday? It's VERY low key, talking pizza, pizza talking! Another member is going to bring a few others that need adopting too. Should be fun!

 

[armandoarturo]

congratulations!
cant wait to see some pictures =)
what I did, (for my little DTs outdoor enclosure) , I went in a camping trip into the Sonora Desert, and I brought back about 5 to 6 big sacks of dry river soil
but, im kind of crazy, I wouldnt recommend you to do that hahaha...

 

[Kali 55]

Mary anne, I'd love to go to one of the meetings! I have actually been wanting to go for a while. Unfortunatly Ill have to wait untill next month, I have a birthday to go to next Friday. We should get together sometime though, I would love to see some of your CDTs!

Armandoarturo, ya know, I actually considered driving up to mojave, its not far from here, and doing that exact thing!