I got my horsfield in December and would now like to plan an outside enclosure for her. But first I have a few questions about things.

Obviously the bigger the better, but what would be the minimum size?
I have a space in mind thats approx 12 feet by 5 feet

The plan is to have a heated shed and a covered 'porch' bit so she can be sheltered if she needs to without being too hot. Lots of hidey places and climbing things, etc, etc. The whole area would be covered in netting to ward off predators.

As I live in Scotland I would like to know if (other than hibernation) can she be kept outside all year round? The frosts here can be quite severe even in April time, would she go into the heated bit if the temp dropped? Or it rained? She is a very intelligent tort and I would expect her to do this but would worry that she may get caught out by accident.

Dawn & Sherbert

I don't know about sizes, but 12x5 sounds ok

I think he will be fine, and will make his way to the shed if the wather becomes too harsh for him. Tortoises have an excellent sense of direction (so he'd remember where it is!!) and I'm sure he would sheter himself if he felt the need.

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12'x5' is absolutly fine. Masive for one horsefield

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Here's a similar idea for a leopard tortoise.

tortoise enclosure progress

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J.J.I.A.F.W

I'm eventually hoping to get more torts but not until the enclosure is finished and i have a quarantine place set up etc so thats why i wan tto make it quite large

The size is massive for one horsfield. As they live in tunnels if kept outdoors they do not need such large enclosures as say a hermanns, although it will be fine of course. Remember to make the covered area preferably lower or at the same level and not higher as their natural instinct is to go lower down. Although they do tend to look for shelter, never assume that she has done this especially while there is a danger of frost and have something to protect any burrows if there is danger she has gone underground. If subjected to fropsts then there is always a danger of blindness.
Hope this helps

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Take care
Sue

wizzasmum@aol.com

So for a complete change of idea then would it be better to have what equates to a massive outdoor tort table (on the floor) made from wood but very big and deep for tunnels etc. This would make it easier to keep a track of my tort i think and also inescapable as i'm worried that she'll burrow out.

Replys to this idea would be appreciated

Dawn

I have been thinking a lot about when I make my outdoor enclosure and have decided that I am going to dig out a big hole approx 6 feet by 12 feet about a foot deep and build a pen made of strong wire with a wood frame the same size about 4 feet high(making it 3 feet above ground).Sit it into the hole and then fill the foot of soil back in that i removed from it(or maybe with sand and soil mixed that I will buy).Then make an opening,lockable lid made of the same stuff.I will then plant it all up and put hides etc in it.This way the tort can't dig out and nothing can dig in(I have a mole problem in my garden any suggestions welcome)I think I will still bring my tort in at night though.

how can you keep your torts outside?......i'm completely confused. you can't really do that except in special situation can you?....yeah, i'm lost. no way would i do it.

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Yes you can in summer it is good for them to get natural sunlight and to graze and get fresh air.only when it is warm enough though not now.Unless you have a heated area for them and their uv etc set up in a shed or the like.