Building/Growing new outside enclosure for Tonga the Hermann
Posted: 26 Jun 2020, 00:17
Hello there! My name is Andrea, I'm new here. I live in Los Angeles, California, USA - growing zone 10a.
A couple of months ago we lucked into an unplanned adoption of a male Hermann which we have named Tonga, not sure of the age (we're pretty sure of the breed) from a local animal control center. Their previous guardian had passed away and we have no information apart from that. The vet said she thinks he's at least older than 5.
[attachment=1]IMG_1988.jpg[/attachment]
We have him in a temporary enclosure where he is happy and I've been working on what will hopefully be his shangri-la!
The new enclosure is 1.3x3.3 meters, 41cm deep with with a very shallow filtered pond with pebbles for fresh water. I'm waiting for the grass, white and red clover to sprout and I am planning on planting Italian dandelion, cat grass and leafy greens like romaine and kale, will also try planting the geraniums that I've been growing from seed and clematis, also from a baby plant. I'm being very careful about organics in the whole process.
I filled the area with plain organic topsoil, no little white fertilizer pebbles, so I can have a good base for planting, then I'll create pathways with coconut coir and cypress mulch, little pebbles in other areas. Of course we have a little hiding house for him and going to create some little caves from rock here and there as well.The low temperature here at night in the summer is 15°c, highs can be up to 37°, usually closer to 32°. He will have shady and sunny spots most of the day before going all shady. We'll be putting netting over the enclosure to keep out any curious birds (and Tonga in) and have installed a high fence above the netting with low voltage electricity for the late night hours to keep out any other more curious dextrous wild life (we've done with with the fish pond and the garden and it has worked 100%.)
[attachment=0]IMG_1975.jpg[/attachment]
[attachment=2]IMG_2242.jpg[/attachment]
I've got some questions and would love any thoughts on what you see from the pictures of the currently blank enclosure.
1. The topsoil I got is attracting black flies, like a lot. The flies aren't biting, they're just the kind that are attracted to natural fertilizer. I've applied neem oil once, have added beneficial nematodes, and tried to spray the buggers with organic insecticidal soap (which I will not do when Tonga is moved in.) I don't know if the flies will go away once the clover has started to grow and I've put down the substrate and pebbles, I've been thinking they will, based on some reading. The measures I've been taking with the neem oil and nematodes will prevent them from laying eggs in the soil. I don't know what to think about this, has anyone had experience with this kind of thing? Do I have anything to worry about here?
2. Do I need to provide any source of outdoor heat for night during this warmer season? In the fall and winter we'll bring him inside or create an outdoor home.
3. Are there any other easily attainable organic foods/ plants I can plant in there to grow? I think most nursery plants are out of the question.
Anything else I should be considering? Thanks so much for your thoughts!!
A couple of months ago we lucked into an unplanned adoption of a male Hermann which we have named Tonga, not sure of the age (we're pretty sure of the breed) from a local animal control center. Their previous guardian had passed away and we have no information apart from that. The vet said she thinks he's at least older than 5.
[attachment=1]IMG_1988.jpg[/attachment]
We have him in a temporary enclosure where he is happy and I've been working on what will hopefully be his shangri-la!
The new enclosure is 1.3x3.3 meters, 41cm deep with with a very shallow filtered pond with pebbles for fresh water. I'm waiting for the grass, white and red clover to sprout and I am planning on planting Italian dandelion, cat grass and leafy greens like romaine and kale, will also try planting the geraniums that I've been growing from seed and clematis, also from a baby plant. I'm being very careful about organics in the whole process.
I filled the area with plain organic topsoil, no little white fertilizer pebbles, so I can have a good base for planting, then I'll create pathways with coconut coir and cypress mulch, little pebbles in other areas. Of course we have a little hiding house for him and going to create some little caves from rock here and there as well.The low temperature here at night in the summer is 15°c, highs can be up to 37°, usually closer to 32°. He will have shady and sunny spots most of the day before going all shady. We'll be putting netting over the enclosure to keep out any curious birds (and Tonga in) and have installed a high fence above the netting with low voltage electricity for the late night hours to keep out any other more curious dextrous wild life (we've done with with the fish pond and the garden and it has worked 100%.)
[attachment=0]IMG_1975.jpg[/attachment]
[attachment=2]IMG_2242.jpg[/attachment]
I've got some questions and would love any thoughts on what you see from the pictures of the currently blank enclosure.
1. The topsoil I got is attracting black flies, like a lot. The flies aren't biting, they're just the kind that are attracted to natural fertilizer. I've applied neem oil once, have added beneficial nematodes, and tried to spray the buggers with organic insecticidal soap (which I will not do when Tonga is moved in.) I don't know if the flies will go away once the clover has started to grow and I've put down the substrate and pebbles, I've been thinking they will, based on some reading. The measures I've been taking with the neem oil and nematodes will prevent them from laying eggs in the soil. I don't know what to think about this, has anyone had experience with this kind of thing? Do I have anything to worry about here?
2. Do I need to provide any source of outdoor heat for night during this warmer season? In the fall and winter we'll bring him inside or create an outdoor home.
3. Are there any other easily attainable organic foods/ plants I can plant in there to grow? I think most nursery plants are out of the question.
Anything else I should be considering? Thanks so much for your thoughts!!