Hobbies And Interests
Cinder Blocks
Cinder blocks, or concrete blocks at least 3 to 4 inches thick, are especially good for protecting young tortoises in outdoor enclosures. As long as the blocks are set with no cracks in between them, tortoises will not be able to get past them. Also predators like rats, foxes, raccoons and dogs, will not be able to get in. Set a wood-framed chicken wire lid on top of the cinder blocks to prevent tortoises from scaling the cinder blocks and predators from climbing in.
Mesh Wire
If you have a burrowing or digging tortoise, line the bottom of your outdoor enclosure with mesh wire. You should dig 8 to 12 inches into the ground. Coat the perimeter with mesh wire. Replace the dirt in the enclosure, covering up all exposed wire. If your tortoise digs, the buried mesh wire will keep him from escaping and endangering himself.
Wood
Wooden planks or round wood logs can be used to line an outdoor tortoise enclosure. Ensure the logs or planks are of adequate height to prevent your particular breed of tortoise from escaping. Bury the bottom of the planks or logs 4 to 6 inches deep in the dirt. Extend them upward in tight-fitting rows to ensure no cracks or spaces remain in between boards or logs for tortoises to slip through.
Landscape Fabric
In addition to helping keep weeds out of your tortoise enclosure, landscape fabric provides a good barrier between undesirable substrate with which you don't want your tortoise to come into contact. Lay down a layer of landscape fabric where you want to create your enclosure. Add a layer of slate chip or rock. Lay a second layer of landscape fabric on top. Place your desired substrate (sand, light soil, grit) on top of the fabric. Complete your enclosure with plants and rocks native to the region from which your tortoise hails.