While the best way to keep predators away from your turtle pens is to keep them clean and free of old food items, we all know that this is nearly impossible. Undoubtedly, there will be a smell that exudes from your pens and attracts critters. Tough hardware cloth covers are your best bet to keeping your turtles safe. Don't ever tempt fate by putting a young turtle 3" or less outdoors without a very sturdy cover. If aesthetics are a big concern, as they are with me, adults can benefit from an electric fence. That's right...many tractor supply stores sell electric fencing units used for horses and such. The small units can be as cheap as $9. Then, the supplies (a length of wire, brackets, and batteries) will hardly cost you more than $15. Attach the brackets to the top of your enclosure, and run the wire around the perimeter. You can disguise it so that it's barely noticeable. Obviously, this will not protect against birds, insects, and burrowing rodents. However, I've watched it foil raccoons, opossum, and even my neighbors' hundreds of outdoor cats. I still try to keep my pens very clean, though. Ants are thick and aggressive down here.

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• ground hogs - jack, Fri Jul 28 19:49:46 2006
• RE: ground hogs - golfdiva, Fri Jul 28 20:26:36 2006
• Zap 'em! - kensopher, Sat Jul 29 05:41:47 2006