Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am in the process of designing a couple new outdoor tortoise pens (for deserts and leopards) around the perimeter of my backyard. I'm planning on using decorative bricks approximately 2.5-3 feet in height for the sides. I'm also considering constructing an earthen mound in the center of each pen to landscape with rocks, cacti, burrows, etc., for aesthetic reasons and to be able to view the tortoises from a distance. I would definitely make sure that the mound was far enough in the center of the pen so as to prevent escape, but am also concerned that if the tortoises can see out into the rest of the yard from the top of the mound, it might result in excess undue stress resulting from the tortoise constantly attempting to find their way out.

Has anyone had any experience with pens that have earthen mounds that allow the tortoises to see out? If so, please let me know if there were any problems with it? If not, please let me know what you think.

Also, is 2.5 feet tall enough for the sides?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

Mike

I used to have russian tortoises and african spur-thighed tortoises that I would put outside during nice days. They always came in at night.

For building a pen, first thing is you must put your fencing material underground. They can and will dig under anything you use. Depending on the species, you must have the fencing at least a foot below ground level. A good way to do this is to use cinder blocks or other solid rock material that you can bury underground and afix the pen to the blocks. Make sure it is strong though as they will "push" and "test" it all the time.

Next, if they can see "out" they will try to get out. For this reason, you have to have solid "walls" for the pen. No chainlink or any other see through material. It must be solid.
If you have mounds in the center of the enclosure I'm sure it'd be fine. Even if they can see out on mound, by the time they got to the ground, they won't be able to see out if you use solid walls.

we have a few enclosures outside. the ones we use for the torti's are about 2.5 ft tall. the ground in this state is soooo dry and solid its pretty much impossible to get a fence 4 ft underground. at about 2 ft down its hard, red clay and at about 3.5 ft its solid bedrock. we dug down about 2 ft. used the 12 X 12 inch stepping stones, then piled the dirt and such back on top of the stones- the stepping stones go out one stone past the walls all the way around. then we used chicken wire on top of the ground, the grass grows up quite nicely through it- so its not really visible and they can still munch on it. that set up works wonderfully for us- we've never had an escapee- not even close.
as far as mounds go- we've not really used any- for the same reason of trying to get out if they can see out. we also make sure that they can get some shade if they need it- which is rare. mostly we get sulcatas and redfoots.
hope that helped.
Beth
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