Small DIY Enclosure - Help

JonnyLightning

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
11
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
Hey guys and gals,

This is my first post. I am thinking about getting a hatchling tortoise that would stay rather small, hopefully to remain and indoor tortoise. I am renting an apartment right now that's rather small. I've seen people using Rubbermaid totes, small wooden boxes etc for hatchlings. My question is, how long can they live in these small makeshift houses?

Everywhere online states minimum of 40 gallons here, 8x4 here, 4x4 there, 6x2 there etc, I get it is kind of subjective but that also it is important too for the tortoise to get room to walk around around. My question is really based on the small enclosures, the ones about 32" by 35" or so, the small indoor ones for hatchlings, how long can they live in these small enclosures?

I'm thinking of a Baby Greek tortoise, but please don't blast me about my ignorance I'm here looking for help! Here is a DIY cage that I just built that is 31"x 20" it is small but I have limited space and I've seen people use totes with this space for their tortoise.

Is this a no-no? If I use my own DIY cage, how long can I keep a tortoise in here? If not a baby Greek, something that I can keep in this for a good while before I have to rebuild another cage.. Any ideas or suggestions?
Thank you. - also, yes I need to do my laundry lolIMG_20200522_164454.jpgIMG_20200522_164442.jpg
 

iAmCentrochelys sulcata

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Messages
1,322
Location (City and/or State)
Alief
Ok I would use that just for a baby, I myself have a Testudo Species. A Herman’s to be exact I keep it in a plastic tote which maintains humidity and heat. It’s a chapter option and more convenient. Since you already make your enclosure you could keep it there but find a way to keep the humidity 60-75% to prevent Pyramiding.
I think a any species of Testudo would suit you. If you have any questions feel free to ask!
Good luck!
 

JonnyLightning

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
11
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
I would love to house a baby in this while building a coffee table enclosure, but I'd like to know thoughts on how long a "baby" stays a baby in terms of years, and how long can I house a "baby" in this enclosure, before I need to rehouse. Thank you
 

JonnyLightning

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
11
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
That is a great enclosure and a good size but babies need high humidity and wooden enclosures with open top can't really achieve that.
So I close the lid or fill it in and put mesh on the sides. I can worry about humidity and temperature levels, I will do what I can. I am worried about spacing and longevity of this enclosure. Thank you for compliments.
 

iAmCentrochelys sulcata

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Messages
1,322
Location (City and/or State)
Alief
It had to be closed, mesh won’t work. You could try plexiglass. When the tortoise gets older you could buy a kiddie pool.
 

Crush da Baum

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2020
Messages
544
Location (City and/or State)
Brooksville
So I close the lid or fill it in and put mesh on the sides. I can worry about humidity and temperature levels, I will do what I can. I am worried about spacing and longevity of this enclosure. Thank you for compliments.
Just keep a plastic wrap or something over the screen and spray the dirt down and I think you would be fine. For the size, you are perfectly fine. That size for a hatchling is plenty enough. 8 by 4 foot is good for a full-grown Herman.
 

JonnyLightning

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
11
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
lol
Just keep a plastic wrap or something over the screen and spray the dirt down and I think you would be fine. For the size, you are perfectly fine. That size for a hatchling is plenty enough. 8 by 4 foot is good for a full-grown Herman.
Thank you. I have plexiglass cut for the side hole right now. if i put plastic wrap on the lid I won't be able to put a light on there. I was thinking if the side was plexiglass and I had the light just sitting upside down on the mesh it would hold heat/ humidity. If i put plastic wrap there where would I put the light? I'd like to build a solid enclosure for a coffeetable with lights built in after I get a hatchling and it outgrows this
 

Crush da Baum

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2020
Messages
544
Location (City and/or State)
Brooksville
Oh, yea totally forgot about the light. My bad. I have seen people build a Plexiglas box attached to the top with a flap or open up lid in the front and drill holes on the top and hang the lights.
 

JonnyLightning

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
11
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
Ya that is what I was going to do. I guess I'll get a light and try to achieve trial and error humidity and heat and get that right before I get one. THanks
 

Crush da Baum

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2020
Messages
544
Location (City and/or State)
Brooksville
Better idea. Take aluminum foil, cut out circles for the lamps, and put it on the screen. MIght work you just have to get a hydrometer and check the humidity.
 

JonnyLightning

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
11
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
I did some reading and I think to help with the humidity, I can cut a piece of wood the same size as the mesh and cut a hole for the light to rest on top. Then coat the wood of the entire box with marine varnish and then paint, and after it's 100 percent dry should be good to maintain humidity with a closed top and the porous wood shouldn't absorb as much humidity because of the coating and paint :D
 

Sue Ann

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2019
Messages
436
Location (City and/or State)
chapin , South Carolina
So I close the lid or fill it in and put mesh on the sides. I can worry about humidity and temperature levels, I will do what I can. I am worried about spacing and longevity of this enclosure. Thank you for compliments.
My son built one like yours and we fit plexiglass in the open or screened places. Worked great until he outgrew it in a year.
 

New Posts

Top