Tortoise Group Information Sheet # 22
Making A Gate Barrier
A gate barrier will protect your tortoise in two ways
- Your tortoise will not be able to escape even if your gate is left open.
- Your tortoise will not be able to see outside the gate, and thus will be spared the frustration of it's natural desire to go where it can see.
We will create a slot or channel on facing sides of each gatepost and slip a piece of wood into the slot. Consider which way the gate opens so the barrier can remain in place when the gate is open. The wood must be flush with the ground so the tortoise doesn't see any light peeking through.
If the tortoise can see light, it will tend to dig. A footing of bricks or concrete will ensure that the tortoise does not dig under the barrier if the wood does not rest snugly on rocks or soil.
Many materials can be used to make the slots for the gate barrier
Mounting Materials For wood:
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1. Lay out mounting pieces on the gate post. Make the slot 1 1/2 times the thickness of the board.
2. If you are using angle brackets, broom clips, screws or nails, mount one set near the top of the barrier and one set near the bottom.
3. Mark the drill holes. You will want to drill holes for mounting, even in wood. Drill holes.
4. Use the glue and/or screws, and/or nails to mount the brackets, wood or aluminum.
Barrier Board
Cut a piece of plywood or other wood 18" inches high by slightly smaller than the finished size of the barrier opening. Slip the board into the slot you have created.
Applying a finish will help to prevent warping. Painting the barrier the color of the gate or adjacent walls will make it less concpicuous.