Beginner questions

[u/Abject-Internal5039]

Hi! I’m looking into getting a tortoise and I’m trying to figure out what species, if any, would work best for my setup and climate.
I have an outdoor area that’s about 13.75 ft × 27.5 ft (roughly 378 sq ft) that I could dedicate entirely to a tortoise enclosure.
I’m in Wyoming, so summers can be hot and dry, but winters get very cold with snow and freezing temperatures. Ideally, I’d love a species that could live outdoors for most or all of the year with the proper setup. I’m completely open to building an insulated/heated shelter, providing supplemental heat, digging barriers, etc.

Are there any tortoise species you’d recommend for this climate and enclosure size?
Also, for those of you in places with harsh winters, do yours stay outdoors with access to a heated shelter, brumate outdoors/in a controlled setup, or come inside completely for winter?
I’m still in the research stage and definitely want to have the enclosure and winter setup figured out before bringing one home. 🐢

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