A secure enclosure, a habitat to live in

A tortoise among grasses and plants in the Guardians’ enclosure

From our enclosure · the Guardians’ experience

A perfect lawn for us. But what about a tortoise?

Freshly cut grass, tidy edges, a little shelter in just the right place: to our eyes, everything looks ready. But a garden that is pleasing to look at is not necessarily the habitat a tortoise would choose.

In our enclosure, we have observed Testudo hermanni with short grass and shelters alongside areas of taller vegetation, reaching almost half a metre in places. We find them sheltered in the tall grass much more often; they use the mown lawn mainly to move from one area to another. What may look untidy to us can offer them places to explore and find cover.

The advice is not to neglect the enclosure, but to care for it without turning the whole space into a closely mown lawn: plants safe for the species, areas of open, dry ground for basking, shade, dry shelters and good drainage. Grass should not be the only habitat available. Before cutting it, locate the animals and make them safe: they can be hard to spot among the blades.

This is an observation from our experience, not a controlled experiment or a rule for every species, season and climate. Half a metre describes some parts of our enclosure, not a target height everywhere: what matters is choice and the safety of the habitat as a whole.

For general enclosure guidance: The Tortoise Table — outdoor enclosure. The preference described above is the Guardians’ observation, not a finding attributed to this source.

An enclosure does more than prevent escape. It should give a tortoise a choice of different areas and protect it from hazards. Its design depends on species, size, climate and local conditions: a single measurement cannot show that the space is suitable.

Observe the space before building

Watch how sun and shade move throughout the day and across the seasons. Check where rainwater drains and where it collects. A pleasant corner in spring can become very hot in summer or flood in autumn. Design the enclosure for these changes, not just for the day you set it up.

The perimeter: every part must be checkable

Consider digging, climbing and footholds near the edges.
Check gates, joints, damaged mesh and gaps beneath protective barriers.
Consider dogs, rodents and other animals in the area; familiarity does not remove the risk.
For small individuals, consider overhead protection too, avoiding entrapment and overheating.

Do not add animals to fill a space that looks empty. You need to be able to separate incompatible individuals and manage a new arrival under an agreed health plan.

Inside the enclosure: a mosaic of choices

Ground conditions, suitable vegetation, shelters and varied areas create a richer habitat than a uniform surface. Sun and shade should be accessible without dangerous compulsory routes. Shelters need checking and should be kept dry where necessary, without indiscriminately removing every damp microhabitat.

Water should be stable and easy to reach. Avoid features that could tip over, trap an animal or cause a fall. Our archive photographs also show construction stages: not every visible feature is a finished solution to copy.

Simple, consistent maintenance

Before using a mower, strimmer or tools, locate all animals and make them safe using appropriate handling and care. Do not rely on them usually resting in the same place. After a storm or garden work, check the entire perimeter again.

A short private record can help: date, issue observed, action taken and follow-up check. Public photographs should not make the location where animals are kept identifiable.