Quote:
Originally Posted by msjaffacake
Hi I'm acquiring a tortoise from my neighbour she's had for 15 years. The tortoise is 50. She lets the tortoise roam in her conservatory in cold/bad weather and in the garden when it's nice. She's retired so she's always in. I work full time so I'm wondering where can I put her in the day? She said she'd like her to carry on living like she does. I asked her if I can leave her in the garden when I'm out but said noo. Someone else I spoke to who has a smaller, younger tortoise says his is in his garden all the time unless it's really cold. So what do I do? I'd like her to be able to roam in the garden but are there any predators I should be aware of? Cats/seagulls? My conservatory will be way too hot to leave her. When it gets cold she can go in the conservatory. I don't want to "downsize" her roaming area too much when I'm at work. Any advice please would really help. Thanks very much
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As Jonathan has said provided the tortoise has some sort of housing to go into when its colder, they do fine. Mine have either a coldframe or GH to go into. These provide some heat even when unheated. As long as there is not a threat of frost and the garden is tortoise proof ( they can climb corners, and open fences. And can get through the smallest of gaps) then they do brilliantly. I have had my tortoises over 36yrs and are outside 24/7 with housing from May until late Autumn.
Cats are not a problem for tortoises, and magpies rarely go into my garden. And they rarely try to get to large tortoises.
Poisonous plants could be a problem though. Such as Poppies, anything from a bulb, Fox gloves to name a few:0)