Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just finished this enclosure, made in a kiddie pool, for my two new Easterns. They are around 3 years old, CBB of course. I loved the names Squirtle & Yurtle so much I couldn't resist using them again. So here are Squirtle the 2nd & Yurtle the 2nd in their new enclosure. I know they'll need something bigger soon, but this was what I could manage for now.

The pool is a little over 4x3. The substrate is topsoil (chemical free), there's a crookneck squash plant, a grape tomato plant, an asparagus fern, 2 water dishes, 2 hides & a light weight rock slab. The substrate is about 6 inches deep. I added 2 containers of nightcrawlers & bunch of yard bugs to the soil. I have a weighted down wood frame lid made with hardware wire for protection & escape-proofing.

Please tell me what you think.

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Robins Critters
1.0 Corn snake Jack Skellington
1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
0.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher Snake Jasmine
1.0 South American Boa Elvis
0.1 Western Hognose Addy the Adder
1.0 Tricolor Hognose Yoshi
1.3 Leopard Geckos Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
1.2 Crested Geckos Fox, Peek & Boo
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo
1.1 Eastern Box Turtles Squirtle II & Yurtle II
0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 Sulawesi Red Toad Mr. Toad
0.2 Tiger Salamanders Tiger & Sally
1.1.3 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Olivia Newton John & Thandie Newton
1.1 Cats Gus & Mena

That is nice looking. They should be very happy in there!
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PHRatz

That's a very neat looking setup. Those turtles are also very attractive. I really think that you'll be pleased with the hardiness that a few years adds to a box turtle.

A couple of things about your enclosure. Are there plenty of drain holes in the bottom? Rain will fill that tub very fast even with a few drain holes. Also, at the angle of the pictures it looks like the turtles may be able to crawl out. They might be able to climb atop the little white house and over the side. Other than that, I really like what you've done with the place.

Looks good, although I'm inclined to agree with Ken about the hides being close to the rim. You could probably do with just one hide, and move it a little closer to the middle.
The youngsters look alert: good luck with them!

Before I had a chance to read the posts it started pouring rain. I ran out & covered the enclosure. I have been quite grateful for the particular pool I bought as it has a drain in the bottom, which I need to cover w/ hardware wire to keep dirt in & let water out. I had already built a screen top for my ingenious little escape artists before introducing them to their new home, the pics just weren't as clear w/ it on. I also had to add some spray-on insulation foam in order to make the square lid a tighter fit for the round enclosure.

Thank you all so much for the support. Your opinions mean a lot to me.
I have already noticed that they are much better able to care for themselves than my hatchlings were. They do indeed seem healthy & curious. Just what we all want!

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Robins Critters
1.0 Corn snake Jack Skellington
1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
0.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher Snake Jasmine
1.0 South American Boa Elvis
0.1 Western Hognose Addy the Adder
1.0 Tricolor Hognose Yoshi
1.3 Leopard Geckos Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
1.2 Crested Geckos Fox, Peek & Boo
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo
1.1 Eastern Box Turtles Squirtle II & Yurtle II
0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 Sulawesi Red Toad Mr. Toad
0.2 Tiger Salamanders Tiger & Sally
1.1.3 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Olivia Newton John & Thandie Newton
1.1 Cats Gus & Mena

Oh my gosh I'm so behind on everything. I just realized these are 2 NEW box turtles.
I'm so happy for you that you found what you were looking for!
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PHRatz