Natural Ground All-Season Houses
Natural Ground All-Season Tortoise Houses are designed to be placed on a perimeter wall at least 6.5 cm wide and 10-20 cm. The house hide portion does not contain a base or windows because the Sunroom is an attached removable polycarbonate covered run that slopes down from the top edge of the front of the hide house. In all other respects they are like our standard All-Season Houses which are designed to house tortoises all year round outside.
The main difference is that the Natural Ground Houses are ideal for species that require access to substrate (ground material) that isn't too dry. This makes them ideal for most Tropical Tortoises because you can wet the ground regularly within the house or run without damaging the wood walls. Heatlamps always dry out the ground directly below them and gradually all of the ground in any enclosed space, however all tortoises prefer a choice of moisture and therefore these houses can be kept drier for all species if required. Regardless, it is wise to wet ground beneath a heatlamp occasionally when substrate becomes too dry and a complete or partial change of substrate (by removal and replacement of soil and sand) will be necessary within the house every now and then to reduce any potential issues from waste build-up.
When the ground is maintained with a level of moisture the humidity in the enclosure will of course be higher, making them suitable for housing most African Tortoises. Of course keeping African Tortoise species outside in much more temperate locations such as the UK, may mean heatlamps are required in the sunroom area in cooler months to maintain appropriate background temperatures, particularly if your tortoises don't hibernate.
Dimensions Length Width Front to Back Height Length Width
Small Natural Ground 1.0 m x 0.5 m x 0.7 m - 0.55 m Sunroom 1.0 m x 1.0 m £779.99
Medium Natural Ground 1.5 m x 0.5 m x 0.7 m - 0.55 m Sunroom 1.5 m x 1.5 m £949.99
Large Natural Ground 2.0 m x 0.5 m x 0.7 m - 0.55 m Sunroom 2.0 m x 2.0 m £1349.99
Extra Large Natural Ground 2.0 m x 1.0 m x 0.7 m - 0.55 m Sunroom 2.0 m x 4.0 m £2549.99
Extra Tall Natural Ground 2.0 m x 1.5 m x 1.0 m - 0.85 m Sunroom 2.0 m x 6.0 m £3999.99
Giant Natural Ground 2.0 m x 2.0 m x 1.4 m - 1.25 m Sunroom 2.0 m x 8.0 m £5599.99
These houses will arrive as pre-assembled wall, base and roof sections with straight-forward, complete and simple step-wise Assembly Instructions (pallet delivery required due to bulk and weight of the total).
Species suitability with recommended substrate
Small Natural Ground - Dwarf Hermann tortoises (on dry soil and sand), Egyptian Tortoises (on sand) or sub-adult tortoises up to 20 cm in Straight Carapace Length (SCL)
Medium Natural Ground - Larger Hermann and Turkish Spur-Thigh tortoises (on dry soil and sand), Horsefield tortoises (on dry soil and mostly sand)
They are insulated to protect against the cold, the wind, wet weather and over-heating in the sun. These houses are ideal for tortoise keepers who prefer their tortoises to have access to the ground all year round within the house. These Natural Ground All-Season Houses should be sat on breeze blocks or brick walls that are a height of 10-20 cm above the ground and level on the top (walls will need to prepared before the house is delivered). The Natural Ground All-Season Houses must not be placed directly onto the ground to prevent rapid deterioration of the wood walls.
- Provides essential heating facilities for keeping your tortoises outdoors all year round and particularly when the UK has temperatures below 15 degrees C. This accounts for 8-10 months of the year.
- Large enough space to provide a good temperature gradient. Ideal for closing tortoises in overnight when below 15 degrees C outside.
- Walls and roof are double walled with premium insulation in the cavity.
- Doors can be locked and the windows are made of security glazing with high impact resistance.
- UV transmissive polycarbonate windows allow UVB to filter through. Glass cannot. UVB is essential for tortoises.
- Very energy efficient housing.
- Tortoise access door is 25 cm wide by 15 cm high unless specified otherwise by the customer.
- An integrated covered removable Tortoise Run is included as the Sunroom.
- Flat-packed pre-assembled wall, base and roof sections will arrive with straight-forward, complete and simple step-wise Assembly Instructions.
- Hasp and Staples and Turn buttons included and fitted.
- Heat and Light Pack, Electrical Installation, Colour upgrades are all available on the Housing Accessories page.
- Vine Eyes included for fitting heat lamps.
- Drip Mould fitted above the tortoise door to protect area below from rainwater.
- Air Vents in the side near the heatlamp for adjusting the air flow seasonally.
If none of the four standard sizes are suitable for you then you can choose your own size. Please visit the Custom Housing page for more details on how to inform us about your requirements. Please see the Tortoise Housing Information page for details of intended use and the Housing Accessories page for optional extras.
