We love turtles, that's very clear, and if you have a collection of turtle-theme lawn and garden ornaments you can put them all around your turtle habitat just like I did. Of course when people visit they might mistake one of the fake turtles for a real one that just doesn't move that much. So unless you like tricking people, placing the ornaments in clear areas, or places a turtle wouldn't be like on walls or shelves is a good way to fill space that would otherwise be empty and without character.

Solar foot lights are a cheap way to light up your outdoor enclosure during the early dark hours. It's both pretty and a little functional because you can glance at the area before going to bed and make sure everything is alright. Placing them next to trees, around ponds, next to ornaments or along walk ways is a few spots you can put solar lights. Make sure it gets plenty of sun and to change them out when they stop working.

Other accessories include; Trellises, wind chimes and other hanging ornaments or things you poke into the ground. Even your tools can be hung off walls as a functional decoration.

Just keep in mind, the sun can be very cruel, especially here in Las Vegas. Be sure to keep tools out of direct sun light, and some ornaments may lose their bright colors if they are also placed in sunny spots.

For large or open enclosures sometimes you need to get into them in order to do maintenance or reach a turtle. Stepping stones or walk ways for your use is the best way to avoid hurting the plants or even one of the turtles.

Stepping stones can go anywhere and look great; they can be just large enough for an average foot or big enough for you to stand at certain areas where you can enjoy the scenery and your turtles.

Walk ways on the other hand are another way for you (or your animals) to get around safely without fear of hurting your turtles hidden in the greenery. They can be anything from an open area of hard soil or rocks, or in my case I walk along the cement lip of the river or on the edging of flower beds. Anything where you are not stepping on an area there is plant life or where your turtle might be hiding (this includes under soft soil)

Bridges can be used by you or your turtles. I have one small one that goes across the river and the turtles use it often. But if you have larger ponds making a bridge for you to cross is a good way to make easy transportation and creating an in-water hiding spot for water or land turtles (mine even hide under the small bridge while inside the water, a nice cool spot away from the sun's rays).

Everyone wants edible plants in their turtle enclosure, or at least plants they would encounter in the wild, but sometimes you need something bigger, something that would work better as a stress-free hiding spot during the day or night.

Shrubs work great as a cool hiding spot any time of the season. Pretty much any shrub that is not sharp and covers a lot of land works for turtle enclosures. Keeping them trimmed isn't necessary, but you can trim the bottom layer slightly to make it easier for turtles to climb under the safety of the shrub's branches and leafs. Also keeping bushes low to the ground will eliminate risk if the turtles decide to climb the bush and they can't figure out how to get back down without falling a far distance.

Whether its half logs bought at a pet store, stumps or even branches, wood is a natural and attractive place for a turtle to hide safely under. These items also make fun things to climb over (since we all know turtles would rather go over it than around it!).

Huts are things you wouldn't find naturally in the wild. They work great as a dark secure place for a turtle to take a nap and they look nice in an enclosure. Huts include pots either turned on their side or with a door cut into it, anything you would buy at a pet store, wooden structures or boxes, even a cement structure build with bricks and a slab works.

If you want to get really cute, a house with a turtle-sized door gives the appearance of a small cottage inside a forest, your turtles will enjoy it, and it will make you smile whenever you see it!

This is pretty much strictly for your enjoyment, of course your turtles may still use these items (climb over them, or possibly tear it apart) they are not a primary need for their well being.

Vine plants or tall grasses are examples of plants that would look very attractive but yield little use by the turtles (Ground covering vine plants may get used as a hiding spot, but also will end up getting the turtle entangled very easily).

Rocks on the other hand look attractive, but if placed in the right areas could also be used as a way of climbing over something. I use river rocks all over to create stairs for turtles to climb up to reach another level, or edging for grass or other structures.

If you literally mud the rocks in place it gives it a clean look, prevents turtles from moving the rocks, and even keeps bugs like spiders, ants and roaches from using it has a home.