All,



Just getting ready for the fall, and am exploring designs for a hibernaculum for my two Russians.



They are both kept outdoors, but it would be a major pain to try to keep their enclosure dry. (see pix)



Instead, I intend on building a hibernaculum out of a 36 gallon rubbermaid container. Once inside, I can keep them right outside my door on the deck, which is covered and almost completely shaded from sun light. (receives no direct light, all day long)



Has any one else ever done this? I saw a diagram for one in a Box Turtle book, but it was made out of wood and had a bottom layer of gravel, a middle layer of garden soil, and a top layer of mulch. Seeing as Russians require more arid conditions, I thought I'd keep mine simple, with just a gravel base and the rest being garden soil with sand mixed in. On top, I'll keep a bowl of water in case they wake up. I also intend on checking in them regularly.



Any thoughts?

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