- Joined
- Mar 19, 2009
- Messages
- 1,601
I'm thinking of another tort. I have a russian now that is kept indoors, but I have plans to make a secure summer pen for it. But I'm thinking about getting another tort.
So if I get a young one, I have room in the house for a second tort table, but only so much. As it grows, I'll need to keep it outdoors at least most of the year - maybe bring it in during those days when the temps really drop. In western WA, the winters average in the 40's and cloudy and\or rainy. Summers are in the 70s, with a few days pushing 100.
I'm looking at the side of my house that has full southern facing sun access. At one point I was thinking of putting a garden here, but ended putting in on the other side of the house in the far corner (I'm on a little less than an acre).
Anyway, the spot I'm thinking of is on a slight hill. I'd terrace it out to about 4 or 5 sections that would measure about 5 square feet each. I could make the terraces such that a tort could easily climb up and down safely. I'd build a wood (or other material) wall that goes about 6 inches below the soil. In the upper level, I'd keep the entire 5x5 section covered and insultated. Maybe even give it a door that I can close to keep the tort in there in extreme weather. I'd be able to lift the top as it would be hinged and lockable. It would have ventalation, a heater of some kind (maybe a mega-ray, CHE, or both). The next section would be covered on the top by a greenhouse type material - keeping out rain, but allowing in light. The remaining sections would be only hardwire cloth re-enforced to proteced against dogs, raccoons, and curious kids The last of those hardwire cloth levels would be a shallow wading\soaking pool.
Would that work for a sulcata? If not, what kind of tort could that work for? Could I put more than one tort in there? Maybe my russian and another??
Thanks!
So if I get a young one, I have room in the house for a second tort table, but only so much. As it grows, I'll need to keep it outdoors at least most of the year - maybe bring it in during those days when the temps really drop. In western WA, the winters average in the 40's and cloudy and\or rainy. Summers are in the 70s, with a few days pushing 100.
I'm looking at the side of my house that has full southern facing sun access. At one point I was thinking of putting a garden here, but ended putting in on the other side of the house in the far corner (I'm on a little less than an acre).
Anyway, the spot I'm thinking of is on a slight hill. I'd terrace it out to about 4 or 5 sections that would measure about 5 square feet each. I could make the terraces such that a tort could easily climb up and down safely. I'd build a wood (or other material) wall that goes about 6 inches below the soil. In the upper level, I'd keep the entire 5x5 section covered and insultated. Maybe even give it a door that I can close to keep the tort in there in extreme weather. I'd be able to lift the top as it would be hinged and lockable. It would have ventalation, a heater of some kind (maybe a mega-ray, CHE, or both). The next section would be covered on the top by a greenhouse type material - keeping out rain, but allowing in light. The remaining sections would be only hardwire cloth re-enforced to proteced against dogs, raccoons, and curious kids The last of those hardwire cloth levels would be a shallow wading\soaking pool.
Would that work for a sulcata? If not, what kind of tort could that work for? Could I put more than one tort in there? Maybe my russian and another??
Thanks!