How to keep a tortoise outdoors xx things you’ll need includes the right time to keep a tortoise outdoors, the right temperature for an outdoor tortoise, the right species of tortoise to keep outdoors, how to ID them properly, how to keep them securely, how to keep them safe, and how to set up heat and lighting outdoors for them.
A pet tortoise is not likely to survive in the wild because it is difficult to adapt to the new environment. Many tortoises released into the wild may catch a disease, get attacked by a predator, starve to death, or freeze to death. Even if they survived, a new tortoise may cause problems to the local ecosystem.
Tortoises should not live in an aquarium. Aquariums lack proper ventilation and they don’t have enough space for a tortoise to pace and explore. Tortoises find aquariums, or any glass enclosures, very stressful because they can see through and will feel trapped.
You can use either straw or hay as tortoise bedding but they require more maintenance than some of the other preferred bedding materials.In particular, straw or hay as tortoise bedding must be kept dry so that it doesn’t become mouldy as that can make your tortoise sick and attract pests to the enclosure.
Artificial grass does not make for good bedding and a tortoise cannot burrow in it, but a tortoise will happily walk around on it. While not idea, using artificial grass under a tortoise’s feet will not do any harm.
A tortoise may benefit from the use of a heat mat or a heat pad but only in very specific circumstances, such as when the animal is sick. The problem with using heat mats regularly is that they do not promote basking behavior, which is essential for the healthy development of a tortoise.
Tortoises can live in greenhouses during the colder months to extend their ability to enjoy the freedom of the outdoors. While checking in on the internal temperature regularly is crucial, greenhouses can be an alternative to keeping your tortoise indoors during the winter.
Tortoises do tend to like the rain! Some species are more acclimated to it than others, given that they are native to tropical rainforests, but all can have a bit of fun in the rain! In the wild, tortoises are outdoor animals so exposing them to safe amounts of rain will replicate many of their natural habitats.
Smaller tortoises can be kept in 8ft X 4ft (244cm X 122cm) enclosures. Permanent enclosure sides should be at least 12 inches (30 cm) higher than your tortoise while standing on his hind legs. For tortoises that are expected to get large as adults, they need more space and higher walls.
Pet tortoises need an environment that encourages a healthy body and mind. Some may call these items toys while others may consider them enrichment. No matter what they’re called, tortoises do need a variety of interactive objects to stay healthy and happy. Logs, rocks, bathing dishes, moist hides, and dirt mounds are good choices for toys and enrichment.