Hi folks

Are there any tortoises that can stay outdoors permanetly ?

I am thinking of taking in a re-home but wasn't so sure if i really wanted to have a table/enclosure in the house. Well i guess the truth is i dont want.  Is there anyway they can live outside all year (when not hibernating) I have a large (heated) extenstion made of wood in the garden (very large as snooker table in the middle) so in colder weather the hutch could be moved into there and then outside for the summer - with a run.

any advise would be gratefully recieved

i want to make sure before i make any decisions that i am the right person to take on such a wonderful animal - have wanted a Tort for many years. I do though worry how my 7 year old Rottweiler will take to it !! i realise i could never leave them togther unattended

thanks for reading

Rach

Hello,

If you are able to provide suffcient heating than most of the mediterranean tortoises (Hermanns, Horsfield, Marginated, Ibera) would appreciate this kind of set up. I know of keepers who keep the large african species such as Leopard or Sulcata tortoises in a similar way but with the indoor area dedicated to the tortoise, with access to the outdoor area available, so may not be applicable here.

If you have space you can create a large "tortoise table" in the extension (with the possibility of linking it to the outside). I find that keeping tortoises outside of the main house gives you a better range of environments, something that I feel benefits the tortoise.

Please consider the "dog factor" very carefully before deciding anything. Tortoises and dogs don't mix and, as you say, should never come into contact. A large dog can do terrbile damage to a tortoise.

Hi Rachel,

As Dave said dogs and tortoises do NOT mix, ive heard of people who have kept both for years and thought they could trust their dogs until one day when the dog thought it had found a new toy. I have seen some horrendous injuries caused by dogs. Can i ask why you dont want to keep the tortoise indoors? With our harsh winters it will cost you alot more trying to keep a shed/outhouse warm enough in the cold months. I keep tortoises in the utility room in the winter and i dont know they are there, they dont cause a smell like some pets and they really are no bother. Unless you are prepared for a hefty electricity bill i would reconsider where you plan on keeping them.

All the best

Ali