One of these things not like the others...

[brewmaster15]

My plans for my turtle shed are taking much longer than initially planned and winter is finally here..temps getting down now. The shed hasn't been insulated yet and the heat lamps just can't keep my red footed tortoises warm enough.. these guys are tropical tortoises. So this weekend I did some emergency reorganizing of my office area and modified my axolotl pond to fit indoors.. not ideal but at least I can keep them warm and work on the shed without worrying.

Went downstairs to feed them and noticed one of them must have reacted to the cold by growing fur.




Apparently I will need to add a screen top.. should have known that as when the Tortoises come in for the winter Leo is always trying to get into their pen.Why I thought it would be different this year Is beyond me.Leo hasn't seen the tortoises in 7 months so of course he was happy to see them.

[Second Hand Pat]

Al, one thing which I have noted with my two outdoor cats is they are super curious but cautious. So seeing Leo with the tortoises is pretty cool. Would Leo treat their enclosure as a potty area?
Pat

[brewmaster15]

Leo has a dedicated litter box and cats tend to like privacy when they use the latrine. Its a moment of vulnerability. With the tortoises moving around and the openness of the area its not likely..That plus the turtles bedding is a bark mulch vs the sandy clay litter. I will be Leo proofing the pen more to keep leo from picking up germs from the turtles as they are reptiles and known to carry salmonella.

The photo op here took place within 30 mins of bringing the turtles in and the bedding is clean but tortoises are messy critters and often use the water bowl as a toilet...so Leo proofing is neccessary. The office actually belongs to Dante but that fur ball wouldn't be caught dead in a turtle pen.

[Second Hand Pat]

Sounds like Dante needs to protect his home turf Al. Perhaps outdoor cats aren't quite as picky about their latrine habits. The whole yard is their litter box for my two little ladies and they simply go when they feel the need!.
Pat

[brewmaster15]

or your fuzzballs just feel safe there.

[Second Hand Pat]

or your fuzzballs just feel safe there.

They for sure seen too Al. They will easily lay out in the open and I have made friends with both of them. Nala will even allow me to touch and pet her now. When I walk to the barn she walks in front of me, stops in front wanting me to scratch both her backside and she swings about and wants her ears rubbed. I never knew two cats could be some entertaining. Granted, everything is on their terms lol.
Pat

[jeep]

There was a tortoice on the loose for months this past summer in my area. With good exposure and sightings on social media it was finally captured a few weeks ago. I'm glad it was found before winter set in.

I think your cat is also enjoying the heat lamp, lol...

[brewmaster15]

There was a tortoice on the loose for months this past summer in my area. With good exposure and sightings on social media it was finally captured a few weeks ago. I'm glad it was found before winter set in.

I think your cat is also enjoying the heat lamp, lol...

It is a good thing! A few of the tortoises in the pet trade can tolerate some chill, like russian tortoises, which will hibernate when temps start dropping but that means finding a suitable place to hibernate safely...not easy for an escaped pet.

Leo does like heat. His fur is kind of thin. We have a mutual relationship in the winter here... I throw a wool blanket on my legs and he throws himself on the blanket. This goes on from October until April. Tv time, bed time.. if its cold out, Leo is on me.