Re: African spur thighed tortoise growth

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Posted by Terry on April 11, 2001 at 14:59:50:

In Reply to: Re: African spur thighed tortoise growth posted by AR on April 11, 2001 at 14:00:57:

Hi,
if the tortoise is outdoors nothing could be better than building an enclosure in a grassy/weedy area that allows the tortoise to graze.

Not sure how much a kiddie pool costs, but you could build a simple enclosure for around $60.

For a small sulcata all you need are 8 fencing boards 8' long each.Or more if you want a bigger enclosure.
Two boards for each side, making the walls around 1' high.

A few stakes,( you can get stakes at Home depot for around 50 cents each) to nail the fencing boards to and you have a nice 8' - 8' enclosure for the summer.

Make sure there are no gaps that the tort could escape through/under and that's it.It's a good idea to sink the bottom boards into the ground a few inches, to prevent the tortoise digging under.

Shade and sun, grasses, clovers edible weeds etc for grazing and a shelter . Dog loo or something similar.

Much better than a kiddie pool and not too expensive.

Here are some web pages with examples of outdoor enclosures. You'll also find lists of edible landscaping and can order seed mixes to grow for grazing.

http://turtlestuff.com/enclosures.html

http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm

My baby sulcata ( around 3") goes out daily into his own 12' - 6' enclosure.
Built using fencing boards, the enclosure offers both sun and shade and was built right on the lawn ( no pestisides or fertilizers).

Make sure any enclosure is safe from dogs, racoons, rats even birds of prey.

Next year you can enlarge the enclosure, which you'll be doing often if you have a sulcata!
Hope this helps.
Terry.

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Comments:
: Hi, : if the tortoise is outdoors nothing could be better than building an enclosure in a grassy/weedy area that allows the tortoise to graze. : Not sure how much a kiddie pool costs, but you could build a simple enclosure for around $60. : For a small sulcata all you need are 8 fencing boards 8' long each.Or more if you want a bigger enclosure. : Two boards for each side, making the walls around 1' high. : A few stakes,( you can get stakes at Home depot for around 50 cents each) to nail the fencing boards to and you have a nice 8' - 8' enclosure for the summer. : Make sure there are no gaps that the tort could escape through/under and that's it.It's a good idea to sink the bottom boards into the ground a few inches, to prevent the tortoise digging under. : Shade and sun, grasses, clovers edible weeds etc for grazing and a shelter . Dog loo or something similar. : Much better than a kiddie pool and not too expensive. : Here are some web pages with examples of outdoor enclosures. You'll also find lists of edible landscaping and can order seed mixes to grow for grazing. : http://turtlestuff.com/enclosures.html : http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm : My baby sulcata ( around 3") goes out daily into his own 12' - 6' enclosure. : Built using fencing boards, the enclosure offers both sun and shade and was built right on the lawn ( no pestisides or fertilizers). : Make sure any enclosure is safe from dogs, racoons, rats even birds of prey. : Next year you can enlarge the enclosure, which you'll be doing often if you have a sulcata! : Hope this helps. : Terry.

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