Outside Time

[Jenn]

My guys are just loving the outside pit. They only go in it when I'm home but once I put them in I just do a head count every so often. I rotate my different pairs out but they get out every other day (sometime everyday) for 3-4 hours. I've noticed that it's made them so much more active and it's actually helped make some of my more timid ones (Cordy) calmer and easier to handle. I've added some more plants and stones and the grass has grown so they get more ground cover. I thought I'd share some pictures of Spike going for a swim. So far I have only seen him and Christopher do this.

Checking every thing out before he explores.


That sun is hot! I need a little shade.


I'm still hot. Maybe I'll take a dip. I better check and see if the turtle is in there.


I can have a swim and a snack! (I had fed the turtle some of his pellets)


These things are pretty yummy!


Stop floating so far away!!!!


Where are my nose plugs and goggles, when I need them!


A snorkel would be nice too!


That was refreshing!

[ashigator]

Cute pics! My Bluey loves to go outside and roam around.

[aggiegirl]

I love the pictures (even though I couldn't get them all to load) and your commentaries are always able to bring a smile. So, do they really like swimming? Do you have the fish to keep away mosquito larvae or are those turtle food? Is there anything that you'd do differently about the pen or is there anything you think that could make it better? I'm stealing your plans for the fall (after my husband forgets how much we've spent on the new baby! ) Keep the pictures coming! What lucky skinkies you have!

[aggiegirl]

I finally got to see the last pictures! How cool! Spike looks so very content in the water!

[Funda]

Great looking pictures there Jenn.
Great looking skink too!
He looks like a pro swimmer

f.C

[Jenn]

I love the pictures (even though I couldn't get them all to load) and your commentaries are always able to bring a smile. So, do they really like swimming? Do you have the fish to keep away mosquito larvae or are those turtle food? Is there anything that you'd do differently about the pen or is there anything you think that could make it better? I'm stealing your plans for the fall (after my husband forgets how much we've spent on the new baby! ) Keep the pictures coming! What lucky skinkies you have!

The fish act as both! I'm still trying to figure out a better top. The latice isn't as secure as I would like and it's a pain to have to move a whole piece to get them out. I have some idea's of how to make it more secure but can't really figure out if trying to make the tops smaller is really worth it. If a bluey goes running when I go to take them out I'm then just going to have to move smaller but more tops. Ray(who has been a huge help and told me where to find those corner stakes!) pointed out that because the boards are so long their is a chance they could warp. I just have to add a piece of 2x2 to each side to prevent this so it was an easy fix.

Like I said I've only seen Christopher and Spike go in the ponds. The rest of them take drink but haven't gone for a swim. Christopher has only gone once and I think he was running around and didn't realize it was water and kind of fell in trying to cross it. Spike has gone in quite a few times so I'm guessing he likes it. He doesn't run right out. I can't wait to see yours when it's done. You'll get a lot more use out of it becaue you get way warmer weather!

[Lisa]

Jenn, have you considered hingeing the lattice so you don't have to remove the whole top? Or do similar with a flyscreen/mesh framed top?
Gosh, listen to me! Like I could build even something a 10th as good as what you've built! Don't listen to me!

Great pics, I sat here for 10mins to download them all (except the last one came up with a x )

That just amazes me that they jump on in there. Mine don't mind getting their tootsies wet when passing over their water bowl but they won't go near water, even a puddle, outside. Spike must be reminiscing about past beach visits! You definately need to get them some pool toys!

I bet you've made them itty bitty towels for when they get out

[Jenn]

I have thought about hinging but the lattice actually sits on the top lip. It's not quite big enough to reach the actually sides to hing it. I think I'm just going to stick to the lattice this year because it does work, it's just akward. Since I already spend a good amount of money on it I figured I'd wait until next year to make a better top.

I also make it "rain" with the sprinkler when they are in there. It's funny to watch who just ignore it and does their thing (Spike) and who runs for cover (Cordy!).

[Lisa]

I also make it "rain" with the sprinkler when they are in there. It's funny to watch who just ignore it and does their thing (Spike) and who runs for cover (Cordy!).

Oh yeah I do that too! Jubby likes to lick them as they come down, Santos bolts and Ralphie doesn't even notice! I miss mine I hope they wake up soon. Incidentally, do you take yours inside or leave them out if it's raining or starts to? I stay out. If it really starts to bucket down then I take them in but if a shower comes over I leave them out. I figure even in the wild they might get caught out in a shower.

[Lura]

Absolutely fantastic pictures! It's amazing what you've done with your enclosure!

[evil pixie]

Great pictures - I love em!

[Leigh]

Nice one Jenn, those shots and that set up is way cool, did he become fully submerged at any point, like walking on the bottom instead of floating on top?

[Jenn]

I also make it "rain" with the sprinkler when they are in there. It's funny to watch who just ignore it and does their thing (Spike) and who runs for cover (Cordy!).

Oh yeah I do that too! Jubby likes to lick them as they come down, Santos bolts and Ralphie doesn't even notice! I miss mine I hope they wake up soon. Incidentally, do you take yours inside or leave them out if it's raining or starts to? I stay out. If it really starts to bucket down then I take them in but if a shower comes over I leave them out. I figure even in the wild they might get caught out in a shower.

Since I don't have to be out there and get wet with them, I just let them do their thing. There are different stops that they can get out of the rain if they wanted to. I would bring them in if we got a day time thunderstorm.

Leigh- Spike was fully submerged for a couple of second, then he just reached the bricks and poked his head out. He's really almost as long as the pond is wide.

[aggiegirl]

I like the wood but it will warp even more with all our heat. I will build it with reinforcements like you did. I definitely want a little pond. Our whole yard is xeroscaped with wildlife in mind. I just don't want snakes (we have 4 different venomous varieties here) to share the skinky pen. I would love a turtle but I think I'll just settle for a few comet fish with aquarium plants. Our mosquitoes are going to be frightful after all the rain we've had. I'm scared to leave food out anyhow as our fireants are always scary. Have you posted pictures with the outdoor enclosures? I like the wood a whole lot better than the metal roofing, etc. Keep us updated as you continue to tinker with it---especially if they get tiki torches and personalized towels!

[Jenn]

If you use more the of them stakes, you won't have to reinforce. The arms of the stakes move to different angles. You also don't have to go as big as I did. The length on the wood can be shorter. I just didn't think about the wood warping. It wasn't a big deal to reinforce though and it was cheaper then ordering more stakes. The only food I leave in there is the tortises greens. I figure they aren't that different then the grass. The turtle only gets fed in the water and if he doesn't eat every thing I scoop it out.

[Jenn]

Here are a few more pictures. These are of Christoper.

What are you? A new kind of rock? If I poke you will you move?


When I'm outside I tend to leave the tops open because it's easier and I'm not worried about birds because my three cats come outside with me.

Mom, I'm not going to touch him. Really!


A tanning bed and nail salon all in one!


This one has both my boys. Spike never bothers Christopher but Christopher always stays away from him.

[Zach]

This is so awesome!! Those water pictures really made me laugh. How long did he stay under? I can just imagine him...."weeeeeee!"....as he slides in....

[Jenn]

He doesn't really stay under long but doesn't rush to get his head out of the water.

[mewzic-7123]

awsome pictures, wat kind of tortoise is that over there? (out of curiosity)

[NomadOfTheHills]

Looks like a russian.