outdoor box tort enclosure

[RachelS.]

What can you guys tell me about building an outdoor enclosure for a couple of box turtles? I have a 15 x 6 area in my backyard and I'm thinking about putting a fence or wire mesh around it, but I'm afraid they'll get out. It's surrounded by cement and a wall on my house... so them digging out won't be an issue, but I want to make sure. Any pics would be awesome! I'm visual. Thanks!!

Rachel

[kpeters]

because turtles and tortoises do not understand the concept of a fence - if they can see through something they will constantly try to get to the far side of it and either get hurt or escape in the process (they are pretty good at climbing mesh wire).

Therefore enclosure walls should always be made from relatively soft non-seethru materials such as wooden boards (soft, so their shells don't suffer as they scoot along the walls). Also, make sure that they can't tunnel underneath - they are pretty good at that, too!

Finally, consider the possibilty of all of them piling up in one corner and the topmost
one(s) escaping that way if the walls are not high enough.