How to Set Up an Outdoor Turtle Enclosure

Turtles are happiest living in the wild. Therefore, building an outdoor enclosure for them to roam in will result in happier, healthier turtles. This article assumes that you have the common box turtles or another turtle of similar size, and are not raising something much larger.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood
  • Hammer and nails
  • Shovel
  • Drill and screws
  • Pool
  • Plants
  • Dead organic matter
  • Screen (for the top; optional)
  • Rocks and logs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build an enclosure that is big enough to house your turtles. Even if you have only one turtle, this area should be no smaller than the space required to fit a small compact car, or about 25 square feet. If you have more than five turtles, your enclosure should be larger. Each turtle needs at least five square feet of roaming room. Turtles will also enjoy having rocks and logs to hide behind.

    • 2

      Bury and secure the bottom of the sides of your enclosure. Turtles can dig out under a fence just like dogs. You can use a strong mesh, plastic siding or wood for the sides. If you use mesh, the holes should be smaller than 3/4" inch or you risk baby turtles escaping, should you have any. In addition, if your turtles can see out they will try to escape quite often.

    • 3

      Put a board or similar object along the top of the fence. Turtles are escape artists, and this will keep them from getting out. The sides of your turtle enclosure should be two to three feet to help keep out predators. Put a screened top over the entire enclosure if you have predators such as raccoons and possums that could easily climb over the walls or jump in from a nearby tree.

    • 4

      Shield part of the enclosure from weather and sun with a roof. Turtles are sensitive to excessive heat. In addition, they don't want to be out in nasty weather any more than people do. Ideally, 1/3 of the area should be in full sun, 1/3 in partial sun and partial shade and 1/3 in complete shade.

    • 5

      Provide your turtles with a shallow pool of water to get into. Turtles can drown, so don't make it any deeper than the height to which they can stretch their necks. Take proper measures to control mosquito population if you don't have a filtration system installed.

    • 6

      Plant plenty of edible plants, fruits and vegetables that turtles enjoy in the enclosure. A compost pile that can be home to plenty of worms and grubs will also be a nice treat for your turtles.

    • 7

      Put plenty of straw, leaves, plant debris, compost, loose dirt and other similar materials in a large pile for your turtle to hibernate in during winter. Only allow your turtle to hibernate outdoors if you are raising a turtle that is native to your area. You can also allow your turtle to hibernate indoors, but they will still need the same natural materials. Therefore, a garage or basement might be the best indoor location unless you have a very large aquarium. Turtles can bury down nearly two feet when hibernating to keep warm.