Use this forum to discuss any aspect of tortoise housing and enclosures. Upload and show pictures of your set ups (enclosures).
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 17 Apr 2018, 17:11
Hi everyone, now the weathers settling and my eldest has announced he's moving 300 miles away, I thought it best to get Tiny's run done!! I have cheated and brought a cold frame...but I think it's perfect
I managed to find the wire baskets at pound land and am hoping they tolerate her persistence! I have tried to give her lots to walk round...once it warms up properly outside, will I be able to leave her in there overnight? She's over 2 now and I can close the lid etc....
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 17 Apr 2018, 17:16
I made sure she has air holes all the way round, just in case the lid closes etc and I'm not around! Don't want to bake her...also I'm putting the wire lid on during the day so nothing can whisk her away!
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 17 Apr 2018, 17:19
Her 1st day n there went well...she likes eating the sow thistle and plants!
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Nina
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22
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by Nina » 17 Apr 2018, 17:30
Bex you've done a fantastic job! What a lovely enclosure, and having the wire on top will mean that she can be safe and get the UVB during the day, and then closing the lid at night will keep her secure too. I think you have made a brilliant little enclosure -- lots of things to interest Tiny -- different areas, different textures, etc. And thanks for all the photos, as they show just how it was done. I do hope that lots of people see this post as I think it will inspire them!
Nina
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 17 Apr 2018, 18:33
Thank you! I want her to be happy and do tortoise things! I thought I cud change it around regularly to keep her interest and I'm glad she can sleep in there, I hate disturbing her once she's settled! Can't wait to go out on summer mornings and find her already exploring
Also if it wasn't for this amazing site and all of your invaluable advice, I wouldn't be able to provide the best care and look after them as I do...so BIG BIG thank you
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
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Nina
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22
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by Nina » 17 Apr 2018, 18:45
Well, it's posts like yours that make it all worthwhile -- and thank you for being such a loyal supporter of the TTT!
It's a great idea to keep moving things around to keep her interest up -- lol especially when she eats some of those lovely plants down to the ground and trashes some of the neat little pebbled areas (they just love to trash things). Just one thought, if Tiny is going to spend her nights out there this summer. Will the enclosure get the rays of the sun first thing in the morning? If not, then she might need a little extra boost of warmth to get going.
Nina
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 17 Apr 2018, 18:59
Well I am very glad I found you guys, and so is Tiny & Speedy!!
Yes it's right at the end of the garden and gets sun first thing, I will only leave her out there during warmer days and I will keep eye on weather news...today she was in there 11-3 and was warm when I brought her in...roll on summer
![Cool 8-)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
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laurat
- Posts: 98
- Joined: 19 Mar 2017, 14:46
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by laurat » 17 Apr 2018, 19:56
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif)
OMG is all I can say! That is amazing. Awwwww that’s going to be one happy tortoise. Proud tortoise parent moment!
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lin
- Posts: 1045
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:27
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by lin » 17 Apr 2018, 22:23
You have done an amazing job there Bex and the tortoise will just love being out there enjoying the outdoors and natural sunshine.
Well done.
Lin
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 18 Apr 2018, 07:39
Thank you all for the positive feedback
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 24 May 2018, 10:31
Just wanted to show off my weed garden....everyone thinks I'm mental but I love it!
All grown from seed (except the nipplewort) I'm particularly proud of the goats beard
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
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Nina
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by Nina » 24 May 2018, 11:10
Well, that is amazing, and every bit as pretty as a conventional flower garden! Who ever said that weeds aren't lovely! I can see that I am going to refer people to this thread when they ask about what they can grow for their tortoise, and how can they make it look nice. Thanks so much for the pics, Bex.
Nina
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 21 Apr 2019, 19:14
As we have moved I've had to do Tiny a new enclosure! It's just basic at the mo but I will add weeds/flowers once there grown (only just managed to plant some seeds!)
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 21 Apr 2019, 19:15
Enjoying the sunshine
![Cool 8-)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
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lin
- Posts: 1045
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by lin » 21 Apr 2019, 21:00
Tiny would'nt mind his enclosure Bex, as its only temporary...But, you are going to have to go some to follow the last one you set out for Herbie.
Lin
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Nina
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22
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by Nina » 21 Apr 2019, 22:05
I think you should hire yourself out as a designer of tortoise enclosures -- if that's only the beginning I can't wait to see what the permanent one looks like -- everything we've seen you do is stylish as well as a good environment for tortoises. Thanks for the photos!
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 22 Apr 2019, 09:28
Thank you ladies....my Nan did mention I should do this for a living!!
The semi circle the cold frame is in, is our old pond filled in and my main aim is too half empty it and have the whole area for Tiny, as she is growing well and will need more room by next summer! I just wanted her outside asap!
You can tell what I will be doing all day.....Tortoise watching
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
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Nina
- Posts: 2022
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by Nina » 22 Apr 2019, 10:09
That pond will make a perfect tortoise enclosure -- looking forward to seeing photos of it!
Nina
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 25 Feb 2020, 16:05
Ok so I just left the plastic off for a week hoping seeds would settle then covered it over winter... opened it up 2day and WOW!
Tiny was a very happy girl
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
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Nina
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- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22
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by Nina » 25 Feb 2020, 16:40
Oh my goodness -- isn't nature wonderful -- what an explosion of tasty treats! And that enclosure has really held up well over the winter. So was Tiny outside today? What temperture is it where you are?
Nina
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 25 Feb 2020, 20:19
We had glorious sun for almost an hour and no breeze so while I was pottering in the garden I put her out. I had the plastic cover on so it was quite cosy in there! We’re North Kent and it’s sleeting now
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif)
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Nina
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22
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by Nina » 25 Feb 2020, 22:39
Hmm, it's worth thinking about moving to North Kent. We had about 7 minutes of sunshine in Oxford today, and then just cold and miserable with intermittent rain. Good for Tiny to be able to get outdoors in February (what in the world is happening to our climate?)!
Nina
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 25 Mar 2020, 15:39
I decided it’s too much hard work digging out the old pond so just put a small log fence around the edge!
Took a bit to saw the little doorway but got there in the end!!
Tiny took a bit of coaxing but once she was out she seemed quite happy especially when she found the Campanula
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
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Nina
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by Nina » 25 Mar 2020, 16:28
That looks brilliant! And Tiny seems to have settled into the new decor really well. Is this a completely different set-up or have you revamped the previous one. You are so good at designing and making these outdoor enclosures.
The only thing i would say is to be careful of that log roll that is in front of the wall and next to Tiny's shelter. I now try to put my logroll in with the curved bit of the 'logs' on the inside and the side with the wires that hold them together on the outside, because a couple of years ago my Dolly used the wires to hoist herself up and over the log roll (don't know how she did it, but she stood up and put her claws on the wire and then just hoisted herself up -- I have a video of it but it's too big to post here. Also would there be room for Tiny to squeeze between the back of the shelter and the wall behind it? Mine have done that too.
And don't forget they can use plants as ladders too. Here are a couple of photos of Dolly climbing vertically up a 1' high wall at various times, using overhanging plants and right angles as a ladder (the chicken wire in the last photo is to prevent her getting out once she reaches the top, but I use other stuff now -- just to overhang it so that she can't go up and over. She is a Horsfield though, and they are particularly good climbers.
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Bex
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 19:37
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by Bex » 25 Mar 2020, 17:22
OMG look at Dolly!! There amazing aren’t they
I have just revamped the same one, I was going to remove another half a foot of dirt down and not have the logs, but it was a pond that was cemented in so it will be a big job so I cheated!
I’m gonna sit and watch her 2moro and see what she gets up too and amend if needed, I will put more bricks behind the cold frame just Incase, there are a few there but will make them more sturdy and higher.
Thank you for your advice, always welcome and gives me new ideas!
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