Any tortoise folks? Outdoor pens

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Hello, making my tort (Horsfield, about 6 years old) an outside run, it's quite big, probably 3m X 1.5m, sides made of sleepers (well repurposed old fence rails) on our lawn so already set to grass.

What do people put in tortoise runs to play with, enrichment etc? Going to sink him a little tray as a bath/drinking spot and some sort of small house, also probably a few tunnel type things but then not sure what else to do ??‍

Whenever have tried to put him out in runs before and he hated it and hid, he likes scampering round the garden if I follow him about tho so hoping he'll settle if I sit next to him and watch ?

 

[Karran]

How about little patches of different footing? My spur thigh runs feral in the garden during the summer but can often be found toasting his belly on warm patio paving slabs, so maybe put one of those in. He also likes to go exploring on the gravel on the rockery, so maybe a patch of pea shingle or those little slate pieces for him to walk and clamber over.
In his indoor pen he has a little bamboo type tunnel that was supposed to be for a small furry but he likes to climb up and over it. Maybe something similar half submerged so he can right himself if he falls?

Lots of wild plants as well so he can pick and choose what he would like to eat.

 

[meleeka]

Some plants he can hide in and provide shady areas. Do make sure he won’t be able to climb on the sides and potentially topple over.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve not used grass in mine. It’s on a slab base. They can/do dig so just be a bit careful he doesn’t dig down! On that note something to dig in would be my suggestion? Some topsoil deep enough to cover over then if it gets too hot or cold he will naturally bury himself to regulate his temperature (but you will know where he is!!)
As above stones, pea shingle, flower pots ornamental grasses and lavender maybe? I don’t think they eat those kind of plants too much!

 

[Karran]

Yes, I don't think mine eats the lavender in the rockery, but he does like to scramble about in it - its very out of control and a bit woody.

 

[Bearsmum]

Dougal also runs feral in our garden, but I will second keeping an eye on him turning himself over, despite being around 100, Dougal still forgets he has a shell and can turn himself over trying to get in the house, agree with some different surfaces if you can - sand, shingle a slab for sunning on & maybe some edible plants: dandelions, milk thistle, clover etc. some years back I bought a bag of tortoise food seeds and grew on in trays so he could graze, think they came from the tortoise trust

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Thanks all, some great ideas, keep them coming. I have some chicken wire I could line the bottom of enclosure with but am concerned about him getting his feet etc tangled in it so thinking a bad idea? He will only be out when one if us is around so will be checked for flipping over frequently ? He'd also have to dig very very quickly for us to loose him ?

Am thinking of planting him lavender and roses around his enclosure as he likes roses so easy good source for him, and have some seed tray things which I will fill with different types of stones. He enjoys climbing so have one of the bendy wood tunnel things that I'll make into a little hill for him to scamper over ?

 

[Karran]

My one loves pansies so they might be a nice purchase? Add a splash of colour in there for you anyway!

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

My one loves pansies so they might be a nice purchase? Add a splash of colour in there for you anyway!

I have some winter flowering violas he's been munching on all winter so going to pop some of them in too and some pansies ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I need to sort mine out again this year. We have a fab outdoor enclosure in our old house and when we moved (originally a temp move before going back home) made bit of a rubbish temporary one. We have been here years now and it’s really not good enough!
This thread is spurring me on and giving ideas!

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Anyone got any pictures? ?

 

[timefort]

We (OH!) dug our enclosure out, lined with chicken wire, then refilled with soil and added bags of playsand. The enclosure has drier and damper parts, variable ground level by adding dips /hills and stoney /gravelly patches. Plant wise it has a couple of Hebes, some different grasses and lavender - all of which F likes digging under(especially when hot) and random tort friendly weeds and viola/pansy/marigolds scattered around. He has a couple of hides and sideways flowerpots as shelters and one end of pen is covered in corrugated plastic so there's always a dry end (not that F appreciates it).

F is 10 year old horsefield.