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A friend's grandma sold me her old outdoor turtle enclosure for $20! She used it for some type of Box Turtles. I have Russians, the smallest being about 4", and the biggest that I am getting this weekend is supposedly around 10".

Anyways, it's nice and sturdy and built to keep predators OUT! YAY!

It has some really cool ramps in it, but I'm questioning how safe they are for my Russians! Please look at the pics and let me know what you think! The lower ones shouldn't be an issue, but it's that green-lined ramp and then the highest one, which is 20 inches off the ground, and about 7 inches wide. It has a low lip on it, but I know that won't stop them from tumbling if they choose to look over the edge. The bottom is made with layers of chicken wire with the green lining over it, so it's not a hard fall, and I could pile up a couple of inches of sand or other substrate to make it softer. Or should I just try to add a higher lip to the sides of that highest ramp? Also, what are the chances the big girl would get up there and get stuck, seeing her shell is longer than the width of the ramp?

Of course I could always take down the green-lined ramp, thus totally eliminating the issue...

(And please excuse the "mess" and webs in the pen, we just picked it up last night and haven't had a chance to clean it out yet! The Torts aren't going in there yet anyway as it's been cold and rainy out!)

Thanks for your input!

;~) Kelly

WoW (scratching my head) the ramps were for box turtles? I think Id take the ramps out. It seems kinda neat but my only concern would be if they fell off the ramp and was flipped under the basking bulb, and couldnt flip back. Ive read of people losing torts due to flips and not being able to right themseves.
Otherwise good find for 20$. Can you plant plants in there? That would be cool too.
Welcome to the forum

I'm not sure how big the cage is but, I agree with I lovemturts, I would get rid of the ramps.

The cage itself measures 41" x 49", and they would only be in there in the daytime on nice days, so it's not a constant thing.

Okay I took out some stuff and lowered the ramps so the highest spot is the top of that turtle barn, so I feel much better about it now. I'll just be sure to pile a bunch of hay and substrate at the base of the barn part, just in case they tumble. It's chilly out so they can't "play" today, but I did set Elessar in it for a couple of minutes to make sure he could manage the ramps and he was like... "YEE HAAAAW!!!" Man, he loved it! Round and round he went! I'll try to get up another pic of the re-do in a bit!

that looks like a cool enclosure! i think you made the right decision with the ramps...

Okay here it is with the lowered ramps! This way no one can get stuck on one end of a ramp, either, and have difficulty turning around... Elessar just went around and around and around on the ramps yesterday when he tested them out! The only thing I need to change is that along the longest ramp on one side, he spent a bit of time trying to claw through the wire, so I'll need to set up a barrier along there so they can't see out! Otherwise, I think it's perfect! Just add some hay, fresh soil to the plant box, and something for water, and they'll be set for sunny days!

looking better. Im surprised to the tort already checked it out. cool!

Looks great and the important thing that they are happy.

I had them in there for four hours today while it was warm and sunny, and they got some great excersize! They had a blast!!! Now we are supposed to have nice warm weather for two more days, so they'll be out again tomorrow! I'm excited for them, and I enjoy watching them... I don't know why but I get a kick out of seeing them go up and down the ramps! I did have to put a barrier on the ledge on the right in the first picture - right next to the ramp is the other green ramp that goes down from the turtle barn. Elessar kept trying to leap from the ledge down onto that green ramp, and getting himself stuck sideways! LOL! So I put a barrier up there so he can't do that anymore!