00:00A tortoise can be a wonderful animal and people bond really strongly with their turtles and
00:06tortoises.
00:07They really love them.
00:09The best habitat for an outdoor tortoise is one that's fenced in, must be fenced in or
00:14they'll run away, has cinder block around the bottom or some other solid fencing so
00:19they can't see out because if they can see out they want to get out.
00:23It should be natural, native plants and a dirt surface and that's about all they need.
00:30They need a house to go into at night, it can be a dog house or one that you build yourself
00:34out of cinder block.
00:36Inside if it's a sulpata, a leopard or a redfoot tortoise it needs heat at night.
00:43Many people think that if they get a turtle or a tortoise they can keep it in a tank in
00:46the house which is a very sad, sad thing for a turtle or tortoise because it's like you
00:51or me living in a bathtub.
00:53It's so confined and it's so unnatural.
00:57Obviously with baby tortoises you want to be able to keep them confined but you still
01:02need to have a habitat outside where they will be able to get some direct sun.
01:08If you have raccoons you should have an electric fence because they will get in and kill small
01:14turtles and tortoises.
01:16In general tortoises really like to dig the sun.
01:19They'll sit outside all day and get as much sun as they can take in because that is what
01:24builds their shell and keeps them healthy.
01:28All animals need a nice balance of sun and shade so be sure that you can provide a shady
01:33area for them.
01:35They will go into their house if there's no other shade available but that still can get
01:39pretty warm.
01:40So we suggest using native plants.
01:43It gives them shade, it gives them cover, it gives them protection and gives them a
01:46feeling of safety.
01:47They're wild animals, they know what they're doing.
01:50So let them be wild and let them do what they want to do.
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