Outdoor Enclosures.

[adamanteus]

Hi Guys,

I've been thinking about constructing an outdoor enclosure for my T. radix. Maybe next year, if I can get a decent plan together. I already have 2.4, perhaps I will get a few more and have an outdoor enclosure, big enough that I can go in there and sit amongst them on a bench or whatever and watch them go about their day to day business in a semi-wild setting.

There are a lot of things I need to consider....making it escape proof is obviously number one, but I also want to make sure cats etc. can't get in. It will need some sort of door so that I can get in and out easily.

I know there have been a few mentions of this subject, and even one or two pictures of members freinds who have these, but have any of you had first hand experience with this sort of enclosure, or just have any good ideas I might want to use?

[Lulu Bennett]

james that is a fantastic idea i cant wait to hear sugestions. hope you get all the info you need xxx

[CrazyHedgehog]

Does it get warm enough in the uk or are you going to provide some sought of heat source?

Also not just cats but birds aswell? you will need an enclosed outdoor enclosure???? (that just sounds a bit wierd...too many 'enclos'.....

[Elliot]

Sounds cool James, but what are you going to do in the winter? It does freeze there doesn't it?

[CrazyHedgehog]

oh yes and rains nearly every day!!! (well it does seem to at the moment!)

[Elliot]

I guess humidity and freezing would be big problems then.

[Thamnophis]

I would make a part of the outdoor enclosure with a cover of glass or plastic with under it a lightbulb that can be used when it is to cold or to moist.

[Sid]

James, I'm toying with the idea myself for T s sirtalis. Haven't gotten to any fine details as yet, but plan to construct it against the rear of my home. Make a small opening to the crawl space with a burmation enclosure there. Going to cover the open area of the top with netting similar to what many people use over an outdoor Koi pond. Maybe some of this will help you out to a degree.

[reptileparadise]

Yeah, great idea!
Please post pics and construction plans! I've got lots and lots of room here and somehow, dont know how (...) I've been playing with the idea as well.

The only thing I'm affraid of now, are chickens...We've got a bunch running around here and they eat just about everything...

[zooplan]

Martin Hallmen has written a book about this theme in 2003 after he had visited lots of outdoor enclosures all over Germany and other countries around. Its in German but filled with pictures of the encosures, details and building. ISBN3-931587-83-5