How to Build Fences for a Tortoise

Three species of tortoise are native to the United States. The desert tortoise lives in the Southwest and California. Gopher tortoises inhabit a range that extends from Florida north to South Carolina and west to Louisiana and eastern Texas. The Texas tortoise ranges from southern Texas to northern Mexico. All three species are endangered. You cannot buy one of these tortoises, but you can adopt one through programs authorized by state wildlife agencies. If you choose to adopt a tortoise, your first task will be to build an escape-proof enclosure.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Concrete or cinder blocks
  • Wire fencing
  • Rebar
  • Wood planks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure an area at least 18 feet by 18 feet to serve as the enclosure for your tortoise. According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the enclosure area should be well-drained and located in your backyard to provide the most secure habitat. Desert and gopher tortoises average around 12 inches long when grown. Texas tortoises are a little smaller, but all three species require about the same habitat area.

    • 2

      Dig a 12-inch deep trench around the perimeter of the enclosure. Given a chance, a tortoise will burrow its way under a fence. To prevent this, fill the trench with concrete or cinder blocks to form an underground footer as a barrier. Alternatively, you can use 1/4- to 1/2-inch hardware cloth.

    • 3

      Build the aboveground section of the fence at least 18 inches high. If you have a dog, the fence must be high enough to keep the dog from jumping into the enclosure. Dogs can easily injure a tortoise. The fence may be constructed of cinder blocks. If you prefer a wire fence, use 1/4 to 1/2-inch hardware cloth, welded wire or poultry netting. Mount the wire fencing on rebar (steel posts) for support.

    • 4

      Add a visual barrier to wire fencing. If a tortoise can see out of its enclosure, it will become stressed and attempt to escape. Fastening light plywood or wood planks to the rebar fence posts will block the tortoise̵7;s view of the outside.

    • 5

      Anchor wood planks to the top of the fence to create a 4-inch overhang extending into the enclosure. Tortoises are good climbers and can climb over the top of the fence without this overhang barrier.