Taking tortoise to a back yard

[KimC90]

So now that the weather is getting warmer I want to start taking Dwight to my cousins and my friends yards to let him have some time to walk around and explore. I know he's going to eat everything in sight.
What precautions should I take before taking him to a yard? See if they fertalize? See when the last time they fertalize was? Find out what kind of grass they have?

 

[Tropical Torts]

You should definitely find out if they have fertilized their yard or if they have had it fertilized by a service company in the past year. If they haven't then it is probably ok, but if there is any question or if they are uncertain about it then don't risk it.

 

[KimC90]

So I obviously wouldn't let Dwight go chew on a random bush or flower but the general grass would be okay?

 

[peasinapod]

AW: Taking tortoise to a back yard

The best thing would be a portable enclosure. Just some walls you can set up quickly. A tortoise can be gone in the blink of an eye.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

You have to know if they have used pesticides on the lawn. That stuff will be toxic to him.

How big is Dwight? They really can "disappear" from your sight quicker than you'd think. I'll watch my 8" leopard cruise around his yard, look away for a second, look up and he's gone. It sometimes takes me a minute to locate him. And he's safely confined to his yard! I can't imagine if there were no walls or safe border.

 

[ascott]

Grass can also contain fertilizer/pesticides/insecticides just as any other part of the yard...so yes, I would make sure that they don't use any of these things as well as make sure none has been used for at least a year....if they have a gardner, I would bet they have used some type of spray....

 

[cheerios586]

You should definitely find out if they have fertilized their yard or if they have had it fertilized by a service company in the past year. If they haven't then it is probably ok, but if there is any question or if they are uncertain about it then don't risk it.

Regarding fertilizer: We are planning a yard for our RT this summer. I have his enclosure ready to set-up, and was going to dig the grass out because a few months ago we had granules laid down for pests. Will this be enough or do I need to wait a year before allowing her outside? Thanks Cheryl

 

[ClarenceCisneros]

The best thing would be a portable enclosure.

 

[Tom]

Regarding fertilizer: We are planning a yard for our RT this summer. I have his enclosure ready to set-up, and was going to dig the grass out because a few months ago we had granules laid down for pests. Will this be enough or do I need to wait a year before allowing her outside? Thanks Cheryl

What kind of granules for what kind of pests? Insects or rodents?

 

[cheerios586]

Does the granules matter? I've been keeping yoshi inside RT because of insect granules in our yard that we put down every 3 months.

 

[BentZero]

Can organic fertilizer safely be used around a tort?

 

[Lyn W]

Some members use kiddies paddling pools as temporary enclosures so they can still get uvb but be safe, and they should be supervised and have shade. Have a look at the Enclosures thread there may be examples in there.

 

[Redfool]

I have the perfect portable pen for small and med torts that I use for my hatchlings. Found 16” square wire snap together shelf panels. Zip tied them end to end and cut off the bottom wire. This leaves 1-1/2 spikes sticking out the bottom that are stuck in the ground.

Supposed to be this

This is what I use, setting upside down. Spike end into the ground. Gets moved to the best weeds

 

[TriciaStringer]

This is what I use but if you think your yard isn’t safe because of how it is treated, this won’t work.

 

[Redfool]

All the greens gotta be clean of treatments or I’d keep them home.

 

[cheerios586]

Thank you all for your help, I've decided to keep her in her pen in the house until I can get one made for her without contamination possibilities.