Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, well during the warmer months I would like to build an outdoor pen for my turtle except I hear from a friend that his turtle escaped and dug under the enclosure. Now I know it has to be deep enough but what could I do to help prevent it from actually digging under...Of course I don't want any missing turtles...well any advice/websites would be a great help...By the way I think I am probably making it out of coroplast and PVC piping...what do you guyz think of that idea. Do you have any other ideas? Thanks.

I would say to dig down at least 12 inches, 18 would be safer. Alot would depend on the soil in your yard: is it nice dark toposoil thats easy to dig, or is it hard clay? Go deeper in the soft stuff, maybe not as deep in the hard clay. Remember , whats easier for you to dig will be easier for turtles, too.
Our turtles live outside year round. The pen has a solid barrier around the perimeter which extends a minimum of 12 inches down into the ground (in some places its deeper where there was an existing retaining wall). The pen's above ground barrier is solid wood the first 12 inches up, then fencing for another 2 1/2 ft, for a total fence height of about 3 1/2 ft.
The enclosure is about 25 x 30 ft, with lots of logs and leaf piles to hide under, a small pond with filter, pump, and small fountain, shady spots, sunny spots, etc.,and we have yet to have any escape attempts.
Try checking out Bill's Box Turtles: he's tried different kinds of enclosures over the years (including, most recently, the coreplast).
Err on the side of caution.
Good luck
Stephanie

I used two 2 x 10's on edge for the actual pen and dug about 6-8" down, Around the inside of the pen at the bottom of the 2x10's I layed on the flat 1x4's so when they dig they hit that and can go no further. I have had no escapes in 4 years. Just as important for me is the top, I had rats stealing the food and even attacked one of my guys so I had to critter proof that too.good luck

I have never had a turtle dig out form the turtle pen. But i have had a few that have climped over the top to make there escape.
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Jack

Good point to mention!
I'm continually surprised by how agile these guys actually are.
Last summer I had a sub-adult go up and over a concrete block barrier (16 in high) that we'd created to segregate a new arrival. In an effort to keep one IN we were unsuccessful at keeping another OUT. Poor little guy probably panicked when he came face to face with the new (very large) guy!
I found that another had managed to climb part way up into a hydrangea bush: he'd gotten himself about 12" off the ground in the process.
I had heard enough stories of both digging and climbing escapes to factor both into our enclosure's design.
If a little extra time, effort, and cash can save your turtle from injury, or worse, I say overbuild a little.
Regards,
Stephanie