I posted this for Lisa so she could see what King Karl Kruiser’s winter hut looks like when finished...
I’ve used this design for the last 4 years and will probably retire it for a new one next year, because I’m noticing he is having trouble in the opening due to his mass.
It’s pretty simple, it’s a series of 7 , 18 X 24 panels fastened together creating and octagonal shape.
The inside of if has the walls matted with black plastic, with an open roof that enables me to get inside. There is one giant beam across the top that makes it easy to carry it around.
To cover the roof top I simply use a blanket.
I position the heater so it blows warm air in a circle. The inside of the hut reaches temps of 80 to 90 degrees at times, but when we have those few days of 25 to 30 degree
temps here in FL, I will turn on a pig blanket so he can get some belly heat as well.
As you can see the substrate is hay and plastic. I leave it that way for a couple weeks, then wrap the whole thing up and dump it, then place new down.
I feed him mostly leafy greens during the winter months, but he also still has the ability
to go outside and graze, I’ve seen him out there grazing over the years in like 40 degree weather, walked outside and put my hand on his carapace and he wasn’t even cold.
Those Great African Spurred Tortoises soak up sunshine like a re-chargeable battery.
If we get freezes, those are the only days I bring him in the house. He does tend to re arrange all the furniture though.
Ciao’
Giovanni
