All Turtles Message Board

TurtleMama · Level 2 Joined: 07 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

The temps are right for my two red eared 3 yr olds to get outside in the sun. In the past I have used a plastic tub with a wire cover but they proved last summer by almost climbing out that they needed something bigger this year.
I would like them to get into the grass so they can experience walking around on dry land. A kiddie pool would be good but I don't have a big enough cover to protect them from the birds. I'm wondering about a wire dog pen. They would be completely enclosed but would they be able to climb up the sides and fall. I only leave them out for about an hour but I don't stay with them the entire time.
What do you think?

Fred_and_George · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject:

im just sort of picturing a dog crate in my head and the spaces seem really big. a small animal could possibly get in, or a bird could fly in and torment the turtles. were it me, i would use somthing with smaller spaces between teh wires. like chicken wire, or something of the like... but it could just be me
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Diputs0729 · Level 1 Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

There is alot of issues with Turtles outside. The best thing if you want them to be in the wild (backyard). Is to watch them. Turtles could get very curios and so can wild animals that live in you area.

If you are not watching them, you need to fence an area in for them. Using chicken wire could work, but you also might want to use some screening material you use for your windows or patio..

I would use the screening or chicken wire on top and for the sides, I would use wood. Make sure though that you stick the wood least one foot into the ground, b/c they will dig. This surrounding wall should be taller then the turtle, if the turtle was standing on its back legs.

When you are done, make sure you have spaces for them to hide from the light and water to cool off in.

One other important thing is to make sure you secure the entrance to this outside habitat.(use a lcok) Racoons can turn nobs and do some other skillful things that can lead them to opening a doorway.

Rennifer · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject:

I don't think anything with easily climbable sides (such as wire) is good for an RES or even any sort of turtle. I only say this because my baby RES used to like to climb all the time but one time she tried climbing up the clip that holds her UVB light to the tank and when she fell off she fell onto her back. I was there at the time, luckily, so I was able to put her back right side up. I hate to imagine what would have happened to her if I hadn't been there...her suffocating to death on her back... Crying or Very sad