Which Turtle House to Choose or Build?
An animal characterized by a shell as a cover, the turtle is a reptile that you can adopt at home. Cute when small, it grows rapidly. Space is very important for a turtle, regardless of its species. Therefore, it needs a sufficiently large space when domesticated.
Be aware that land turtles and aquatic turtles do not have the same needs. Regarding land turtles, it is possible to provide them with various types of homes outside your residence. Which house should you choose or build for your land turtle?
Turtle House
Before welcoming one or more land turtles (adults, juveniles, or sub-adults), you must ensure that they benefit from a comfortable living environment for their well-being.
Even in captivity, a turtle remains wild throughout its life. It always needs a natural space and a suitable biotope. You can offer your turtle various types of homes outdoors.
- A shelter for a land turtle
The shelter provides a hiding place for the turtle. It needs an opaque shelter, preferably one that blends into the landscape. Any enclosure or house designed for your rabbit should include a shelter. A shelter for a Hermann’s turtle or any other species can be made of bricks or stone.
Instead of a shelter, you can build a small house for your land turtle in its cage or enclosure. Ideally, this shelter should be made of bricks, as they help retain heat and release it slowly over a long period.
The floor of your turtle’s shelter should always be at ground level and made of packed earth. Avoid tiled cement, carpet, or other materials. The shelter for a land turtle should be exposed to sunlight. Avoid placing it in a depression to prevent it from turning into a water pool.
You can also set up a hibernation pit, which will serve as a shelter during the hibernation period. Ideally, you should bury a large perforated box larger than the shelter. This box can be made of wood, concrete, or perforated plastic.
Fill it with dead leaves, peat, soil, and compost. As a shelter for a hibernating turtle, protect it from rodents with wire mesh. Ensure proper air circulation to prevent moisture buildup.
- A land turtle enclosure
The space provided for your turtle should allow it to develop harmoniously. You can set up an outdoor turtle enclosure. However, keep in mind that an enclosure is a relatively small turtle house, so you should still equip it well to ensure your turtle’s well-being.
Regardless of the material you choose for the fence (wood, mesh, concrete blocks, or other materials), it should be opaque to prevent the turtle from escaping and being exposed to predators. Mesh fences are the least recommended.
However, if you prefer mesh, be sure to reinforce it with a visible barrier (wooden planks, stone slabs, log rolls, etc.). Inside the enclosure, your turtle will need shade from time to time. Planting a small shrub for a land turtle in the enclosure is a good idea. You can also plant vegetables to create a biotic environment for your turtle.
- The Turtle Park
A turtle park is an ideal space for your pet. It requires careful planning because it consists of multiple sections. This park should include vegetation, an enclosure, a hibernation pit, dry areas, and a turtle pond.
For the enclosure borders, concrete the ground and place stones at various angles to allow turtles to climb. Cover the enclosure with chicken wire to prevent turtles from escaping.
Vegetation is crucial as it provides a natural biotope environment for your turtles. Adding a shrub for a land turtle in the park will provide shade.
Beyond shrubs, consider planting vegetables, flowers, and small fruits. The hibernation pit should be at least 60 cm deep. It should be concreted with an open bottom. Fill it with gravel, soil, expanded clay, and sand. Cover it with an open-roof greenhouse.
- The Greenhouse for Your Turtle
Don’t forget to install a greenhouse in your turtle’s enclosure, as it provides additional comfort. Temperature variations can be significant.
A greenhouse about 30 to 50 cm high will help your turtle retain heat when the weather is too cloudy and protect it from excessive humidity. However, a greenhouse does not replace a shelter in an enclosure—both are essential for your turtle’s life. Therefore, it is crucial to include both in your turtle’s outdoor house. Ensure the greenhouse is well-constructed to prevent water infiltration. It must remain dry throughout the year.
Because, regardless of the climate, your turtle should feel comfortable as soon as it is inside the greenhouse. Therefore, place the greenhouse for your turtle on one side of the enclosure with a sloped roof to allow rainwater to drain off.
The Turtle Cage
The dimensions of the turtle cage should be suitable to ensure your pet’s well-being. You can choose a wooden or wire mesh cage. The bottom of the cage should be deep enough to prevent your turtle from escaping. It should also contain everything your turtle needs. There are various models of turtle cages available on the market.
Building a Land Turtle Enclosure in Your Garden
Make sure your garden is exposed to sunlight. Additionally, if there is no shade in your garden, you can plant a shrub for your land turtle. When building a land turtle enclosure in your garden, consider the size of your turtle.
The enclosure should have a minimum size of 2 x 2 meters. However, if you have enough space, make it as large as possible. Use fine mesh fencing, as large gaps may allow your turtle to escape or injure itself. Wooden barriers can also be used to construct a house for a land turtle.
The height of the enclosure should be between 20 and 30 cm. Choose the height based on your turtle’s size. If your turtle is less than 10 cm long, it is essential to use fine mesh on top of the enclosure to protect it from predators.
When building a house for a land turtle, avoid using plastic, glass, plexiglass, or tarpaulin as a cover for the enclosure. To ensure your pet’s protection, you may consider installing an indoor terrarium.
The ground inside the enclosure should have different textures in various areas. The space designated for the shelter should contain soil, allowing the turtle to dig occasionally. Place a stone or a brick where it can bask in the sun. Also, provide a water point and a greenhouse.
The Turtle Cabin
The turtle cabin is generally made of wood. Choose a cabin with dimensions suitable for your pet. Inside the cabin, your turtle should have access to a greenhouse, a shelter, a hibernation area, and a water corner.
The cabin should be well exposed to the sun so that your turtle can fully benefit from sunlight. The top of the cabin should be enclosed to protect your turtle from predators.
