When to move outdoors?

[mini_max]

Just surveying the yard and thinking about what to do for outdoor summer space for our russian tortoise. By the time it is warm enough to be outside he will be 1. Should he be out for only hours, full days, or overnight if appropriate accommodations are made?

I already have an area of the yard where I have ornamental grass, strawberries and hostas...and nothing else! It is so crazy that I planted all those things, and just those things, before I had any idea that a tortoise would be in our lives! A house and power supply can also be made available.

Also, we have a large pine/spruce tree in our back yard so there are needles and cones around. I can keep his area free and clear for the most part, but it will be impossible for him not to encounter a pine needle or cone at some point. Are these dangerous for him?

 

[Yvonne G]

I doubt it. Some of my tortoises actually use the pine needles to build their nests.

 

[wellington]

I'm not sure about russians, but for my leopard at that age, I would put him outside during the day and brought him back inside to his indoor enclosure at night. Make the outdoor enclosure as if he was staying out. Shade, water, hide, etc.

 

[WithLisa]

If you have a house and power supply, I would leave him outside overnight. It is quite stressful for him to be carried around and switch the enclosure twice a day.

 

[Tom]

I have had great success with many species, including russians, using a big well designed indoor enclosure for night time and inclement weather, and an outdoor enclosure for milder weather and nice days. I leave them outside all day, soak them on the way in, and put them back out the next morning.

This practice has not caused me any problems, stress related or otherwise, in 3 decades of doing it with hundreds of tortoises of several species. I like having them inside in more stable controlled conditions at night, especially for youngsters like yours.

 

[Tom]

And I've had pine trees in many of my enclosure over the years. It has never been an issue.