Blog Archive

Showing posts with label outdoor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoor. Show all posts

Saturday, May 11, 2024

A redesign concept for a tortoise yard

Sometimes I redesign using software that can force me to think in new, creative ways. every detail is not included, but it's so fun to just  conceptualize!

Here, I redesigned a friend's sulcata tortoise yard that it shares with goats and pigs. I wanted the tortoise hide to be something the goats could safely stand on, since they'd totally do it anyway. 😅

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I really like this giant heated house, so that during cold weather in So. Cal (not often) the animal still has room to move around. Would use freezer strips to keep in the heat.

A bubbling, flat pool is perfect for sulcatas - they love to exctere urates in moving water!

A really strong, tall planter is key- they can mow down ANYTHING. But eventually the plants will grow low enough to nibble on, or easily trim from. Browse poles are periodically replaced- did I mention they are STRONG animals?


These tree stumps are buried in the earth with the goal of giving them something to push on, walk around, and generally destroy. They seem to like to have obstacles to walk around a bit. The barrel can hold browse, or just be knocked around a bit.


They a LOT need room like horses. Horses that dig. Relentlessly.


Planting opuntia and other things that will drop into the yard now and again is great. I'd probably recommend making a solid wall at tortoise height is best, though. 


On the left I was playing with the idea of burying a half-barrel to create an "Authorized Dig Spot". Perhaps pretending to be exasperated at filling it back in would make them dig there more? 😁





Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Catio Inspo! (Please Save Wildlife)

You can protect wildlife and still enrich your cat. 
Let us be your Care Counselors. 

We love cats, and we love lizards and birds.
  • Can we help you prevent wildlife deaths in your yard?
  • Can we make a fun, safe environment for your cat, extend its lifespan and prevent diseases like feline leukemia and flea- borne typhus?
YES!
I have made tigers happy, so I can make your cats happy.

Outdoor domestic cats are a recognized threat to global biodiversity. Cats have contributed to the extinction of 63 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles in the wild and continue to adversely impact a wide variety of other species, including those at risk of extinction. An Australian study showed each feral cat kills 225 reptiles per year, this amounts to 1 million reptiles per day.

Outdoor cats live far shorter lives; they get injured or killed by cars, dog, coyotes and cruel humans, a large variety of diseases from endo and ectoparasites. You can look at any animal welfare organization on this topic, and they all agree: indoor is better. But it doesn't have to be boring!

What to do? Get a Care Counselor (like me!). We can provide indoor enrichment plans, and still get them outdoors safely. There are so MANY catio ideas out there. I can create an exotic, exciting magical cat run from scratch (harhar) or I can use online purchased kits, make them better, and install them for you with everything your cat's heart desires. I'm even glad to just come for a consult and share ideas. Your pick.

These. Are. Pawsome.


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Want the Mercedes Model? Let me design, buy and build this fabulous one for ya based on your cats needs, and your yard setup.


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HellaCool Catios at Hellas!
Check out the extensive gallery

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Wanna customize and use local materials? Let's dream BIG. Watch and droooool.
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Let's talk about discount sites. Yes, I can assemble a simple, cheap cage for ya. Let me be clear: these are cheap. But if it's all you can afford, it's better than nothing! I will help make it as secure/strong/functional as possible and provide enrichment to go with it.



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My Catio Pinterest Page for more ideas: https://pin.it/3mf9rGJ

More tips on indoor cat care and enrichment:


Monday, July 17, 2023

Tortoise Outdoor Inspo!



Cute Kenan Cabins!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIEXf_LfN-I



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DIY cleverness from Stephanie Kong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqqwqr4E8IY


More CUUUUTE Etsy Builds. I can help you design your own, or spruce your build with a purchased one.

This craftsman at BC Fab makes beauuuutiful barns. We can do something very similar for local to So.Cal, or help integrate their shipped barns into your greater plan. 
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This one from Petsgang on Etsy would be cute as a part of an indoor build for a smaller tortoise, or part of a yard fix-me-up.


Pools for tortoises??
Let's talk about creeks, ponds and pools. Yes, tortoises need them too! Tortoises need to soak regularly to flush out salts/urea or bladder stones can become a problem. Even desert tortoises! 

Kenan has the dreamiest creeks, pools and caves. This is a very simple concrete pool that can be hosed out daily or every other day with ease. 


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This is designed to let Galapagos tortoises exercise! 
They need to climb!






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW6QwyhAdHk

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This one would require some constant water flow, agitated water helps a lot! Tortoises often soak when there are downpour in their habitat. 

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And the ultimate?? The most beautiful possibility? A creek or waterfall that is shallow for them. Kenan FTW once again!




Sunday, July 9, 2023

Outdoor Aviary Inspo!

 Check out this beauuuuuuutiful aviary!

https://freerangeparrots.org/2019/08/13/aviary-2-0/


And this porch convert!
https://freshpatio.com/diy-walk-in-aviary-ideas/



Outdoor/Indoor Rabbit Inspo!

The ultimate BUNNY HUTCH is one that takes your care needs, your bun's care needs and your aesthetic, and shuffles them into a Perfect Paradise for both of you.

Rob and I sketched up a version of the bunny hutch I spotted on this site

My simplest take (quite variable in size and features): 



Key features of any design should be:
  • Dr. Holly wants you to be able to play with, sit with, and easily clean up after your rabbits. 
    • An entire fence run around a hutch makes it into a "Bunny Yard"! (Look at our Catio Inspo page for more ideas!) 
    • Lots of tall, front opening doors on the hutch to make it easy to rake out the hay.
    • Ability to close off areas to clean, sterilize or even catch a wascally wabbit on the wun
  • HARE conditioning. Aka Cooling ability. In So. Cal, this is very important. 
    • This design for a homemade cooler allows it to run continuously for when you are not home. 
    • Shade sails or shade canopies help prevent predatory birds and add a very effective layer of heat protection. 
    • Insulated roofing on the hutch, and ceramic tiles in the houses.
    • Underground burrows are a great idea for buns in this Mediterranean climate! This simple bucket design makes it easy to check on them still (I can hide those ugly lids).
    • Many more mini houses in the hutch depending on need. These can be insulated. Top shelves can have a lip added to keep hay in place. 
  • All this is made from rabbit-safe wood that can be replaced as needed (typically dried but untreated pine or maple)
  • Bottom of the hutch-designed with your needs in mind!
    • Bottom can be 1" wire so long as there is adequate hay and the rabbits aren't walking on it. 
    • Dirt floor can be managed with burrow-control
    • There are also other cleanable, solid options that can be hosed off. 
    • Chicken wire should be buried around the perimeter at least, ideally through the whole area with deep, dig-zones.
  • Of course, rabbit-friendly plantings are everywhere! Ideally in planters so they can re-grow without being gnawed down to stumps!

Check out this Sweet lil Bun Playland!

What I love: secure walls, dig pit, climbers, chewables. What I'd do: make sure there's no digging out, add some cooling and an insulated hide or deep burrow that can be accessed from the top. 

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And of course, an air conditioned room dedicated to bun so they can access it any time is certainly a dream! 

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Ear-resistable resources for your rabbit run:

They thought of everything:

https://www.omlet.us/shop/rabbit_products/outdoor_rabbit_run/

Fresh green hay delivered!

https://www.kwcages.com/feed-hay/hay.html

House Rabbit Society:

https://houserabbit.org/





Tortoise/ Rabbit Burrow Inspo!

Check out these awesome tortoise/ rabbit burrows! I would still want an access door, but these are pretty simple and creative. 💗

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PH6AlWQr4Y




http://welcometoridgecrest.blogspot.com/2010/05/building-tortoise-burrow.html


https://tortoisegroup.org/large-burrows/



Saturday, July 8, 2023

Building an outdoor Screech Owl Barn (Mew)


Odin the Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii) had his indoor habitat, but he needed a place to watch the birds and get some sun. We had a tight fit on this one, and wanted to maximize every inch. We put the vestibule in the narrowest spot, and left space to fly at the opposite end.


Features:


  • Screen to prevent mosquitoes as well as dowels for bars to protect his talons if he decided to fly against the window (and to protect him form local cats)
  • Clear roof to allow natural light (ideally should be replaced every few years as the material can get brittle)
  • Windows with doors that can be left open or closed as weather allows
  • Cleanable interior walls and removeable perches with variable sized and materials to prevent bumblefoot
  • Mesh covering the underside to prevent rodents from damaging wood with nests
  • Safety vestibule also has shelves and hooks for cleaning supplies
  • Enrichment, of course!












Building the Mew







Cleanable walls






Meet the team

Welcome to Digs! "We build habitats for zoo-manity" ~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_ My name is Leslie and I am a seasoned, professional animal ke...