Habitat - Outdoor :: Is there such thing as too big?

[z-chic]

I am thinking about doing a turtle garden in the spring. We have an exsisting pond that is about 4 foot deep( and already well established as a frog pond. LOL). I was thinking about using it and building a nice basking area in it for water turtles as well as putting in asloped end for them to get in and out if they want, and then fencing a large area around it, planting it and adding hiding spots etc. for box turtles. There really would not be a way to cover the area since it will be large, but with the depth of the pond I think the turtles in it could stay away from any potential preditors. Here is a pic of the pond now:

[missibsu]

A fence is not going to keep the raccoons out. People have talked about various ways to cover over the top. While the area is beautiful and doing some planting and all of that can make it look even better, I think that in order to make it preditor proof you could destroy that beauty too. Of course, this is all opinion, I don't have an outdoor pond!

[Andrew7769]

well im just spitballing but maybe u could put one of those movment activated sprinkilers or lights arounf the pond as well as the fence

[z-chic]

I know a fence won't keep the coons out. or the blue herons etc. there are "wild" turtles living in the pond next door, it seems like the larger more natural the pond, the more hiding places and things they have and the safer they are. I just saw some goldfish in our pond tonight that we thought were long gone. LO and It was getting dim out, but I swear I saw a small painted turtle pop up.

[missibsu]

If you want to keep that wild look and landscape around it, then go at it! I thought you were thinking along the lines of a tame habitat. That's why I was concerned with everything you were going to have to do to make it work...and still look nice!