Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I decided not to take any chances and go aheah and cap all the way around, so all week I have been picking up a few blocks at a time at Lowes during my lunch break. Finally finished, would like to add some more driftwood and then dig up some of my hostas and split them and plant in the pen. Might plant some strawberry plants and oak lettuce too. Then just need to add the turtles and water

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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

Nice big habitat. Any concerns about raccoons in your area?

yah the racoons are a concern, which is why I haven't built this pen years ago, I always had them in the cages you can see in the background of the pics, and I still might put them in there at night. I might also put out a live trap and keep it baited so if one comes around I can relocate it. The neighborhood dogs generally keep the racoons away, but I have seen them and possums in the back yard before.
I have also been toying with the idea of making some kind of concrete low ceiling cave were the box turtles would crawl under every night but it would be too heavy and tight an opening for a racoon to get under, but boxies aready like to burrow under the driftwood.
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

Have a very good friend in Sacramento Ca that had a problem with racoons - got one of the 'dog barking boxes' and set it up... problem stopped.

This link is only to show example - I do not have any experence with this company.

http://www.yoursecurity.us/rex.htm

Then just need to add the turtles and water

Wow Jeff....sounds like a recipe......add turtles, water, and stir. Chill and serve on a bed of lettuce.......lol

Hey buddy it looks fantastic. I'm thinking I might get some Russian Tortises this year and I would want to build another enclousure. Lots of good ideas there with your setup. Nice job Jeff
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Vichris
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"- Marcus Aurelius

Thanks man, the russian torts are very cool, but I just don't think they have the personality of boxies, plus they are year round indoor care up north and would take up a lot of space inside, but I guess you could probably have them outside year round down there couldn't you?
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

Nice pen, good job. I commented on the thread down below about capping, but your method looks way nicer than mine.

I have a friend that keeps russian torts outdoors year round in Iowa. They are very cold tolerant. They do need good drainage, though. But, it looks like your yard has a pretty wicked slope, unless it is an optical illusion.

You may want to consider making little shelters since you aren't using leaves. Cypress can pack pretty tightly. A nice shelter can be as simple as a flat board atop two small 4X4's with a depression dug out underneath.

As far as raccoons, you would be amazed by how effective an electrical wire can be. You may also be surprised by how cheap they are...a small battery unit with enough wire to go around that pen may only run you about $35.

Hey yeah Ken, I have seen the electric wire fences, for koi ponds that might be the ticket to true predator security. I do have a slope in the back yard but the soil is heavy clay on top
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

>>Thanks man, the russian torts are very cool, but I just don't think they have the personality of boxies, plus they are year round indoor care up north and would take up a lot of space inside, but I guess you could probably have them outside year round down there couldn't you?
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>>Jeff Benfer
>>gartersnakemorph.com

Ya the Russian Torts do well outdoors here. They can hibernate outdoors here too. I have more room to build another pen so I just may do that this summer.
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Vichris
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"- Marcus Aurelius

Yah, the other nice thing is you have a nice flat back yard to work with, mine is flat for about 35 ft and then drops...a lot, down to a timber with a creek at the bottom.
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

Hides will probably be appreciated...

Great job, Jeff. Putting them up at night in a secure pen is good all the way around, from my point of view. That's what I do and it gives me peace of mind, the turtles security from animals and theft and I get to check on them at least twice a day.