Russian tortoises enjoy being outside. Russian tortoises don’t need to be outside, but they enjoy it and being outside provides exercise and natural UV. If you’re trying to find ideas for a safe outdoor enclosure for Russian tortoise, you’ll find ideas from super simple to super elaborate. And, what you decide is up to you and your budget.
The important then when setting up an outdoor enclosure for a Russian tortoise is that you consider size of the outdoor enclosure and safety of your tortoise.
Requirements for a Outdoor Enclosure
When designing outside housing for a Russian tortoise, consider the following:
- Secure walls
- A secure lid
- Proper shade and sun ratio
- An available water bowl
- At least one house or form of shelter (whether it be a flower pot, bucket or custom house)
- Sight barriers
- Weeds, greens and plants for grazing
You want to ensure that the enclosure is at least 4-feet by 4-feet for one Russian tortoise. Keep this size in mind when deciding what materials you will use and how you will build the outdoor habitat. Also keep in mind that the more decorations, plants and shelters you add to the habitat, the more exercise space your tortoise may need. IE you may need to make the enclosure larger if you’re planning on adding a TON of things.
Basic Materials for a Tortoise Outside Enclosure
Materials that you may want to use when creating an enclosure for a Russian tortoise outside.
- Cinder blocks
- Bricks
- Wood
- Hardware cloth
Tip: If you want to create a decorate enclosure the matches your outside decor, choose decorative bricks that match the aesthetic of the landscaping in your yard.
Ideas for of Russian Tortoise Outdoor Habitat
If you’d rather purchase an enclosure, there are plenty of options online to choose from. You can even connect some together to make larger enclosures.
A good example of a pre-made tortoise habitat is this one by PawHut. It does need a few modifications, like adding a sight barrier around the bottom of the enclosure and a ramp to get into the shelter. However, overall this pre-made enclosure is a simple start at an outdoor enclosure for a Russian Tortoise
