Where to buy a tortoise enclosure

Yao

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I'm thinking about getting a Russian Tortoise. Could any one recommend an enclosure that I can order online?
 

Wishbone

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Thanks. Is there a bookcase link that you share?
Any sturdy bookcase will do. Mine is 6x3 and it perfect for my youngster. Will go bigger in a few years. Just take the shelves out and apply a backing. I cut down a sheet of plywood and nailed to the back of the book case. Then put down a shower curtain liner on the bottom with a staple gun. I have 2 heat lamps since it's an open enclosure, a 150 watt and a 100 watt. Then a UVB lamp and a ceramic heater for night time.
 

wellington

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Not hard. Plywood comes in 4x8 sheets. That's the minimum size enclosure you need.
Buy 3 2x6x8 boards. Cut one in half to use on the ends. Then attach the 4 boards together to make a rectangle and attach the 4x8 plywood to the frame you made. Either treat the wood with a water proof sealant or water proof paint. Let air out then add substrate
Or you can line the wood with plastic.
For an outside enclosure, do the same thing but instead of plywood, staple chicken wire to the one side of the frame and lay that on the grass/weeds/dirt. This prevents him from digging out and grass/weeds can still grow thru. You can staple chicken wire on both sides so you have a wired top and bottom
 

Tom

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Not hard. Plywood comes in 4x8 sheets. That's the minimum size enclosure you need.
Buy 3 2x6x8 boards. Cut one in half to use on the ends. Then attach the 4 boards together to make a rectangle and attach the 4x8 plywood to the frame you made. Either treat the wood with a water proof sealant or water proof paint. Let air out then add substrate
Or you can line the wood with plastic.
For an outside enclosure, do the same thing but instead of plywood, staple chicken wire to the one side of the frame and lay that on the grass/weeds/dirt. This prevents him from digging out and grass/weeds can still grow thru. You can staple chicken wire on both sides so you have a wired top and bottom
2x6 is too short for the walls. With three or four inches of substrate that only leaves 1.5 - 2 inches of wall. 2x12 is the minimum wall height, and I usually recommend 16-18 inches for adult females.
 

wellington

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2x6 is too short for the walls. With three or four inches of substrate that only leaves 1.5 - 2 inches of wall. 2x12 is the minimum wall height, and I usually recommend 16-18 inches for adult females.
Ah yes, I kinda forgot about the substrate. I was having this in my head for inside and outside. Outside not needing substrate so i guess i forgot about the inside.
Thanks for catching that
 

Yao

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Ah yes, I kinda forgot about the substrate. I was having this in my head for inside and outside. Outside not needing substrate so i guess i forgot about the inside.
Thanks for catching that
4x8 feet seems massive.. does 2x4 work?
 

Yao

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Another question I have is, can I buy a russian tortoise from PetSmart? They said it's wild caught and it's 4-6 years old. I live in Missouri and can't find a breeder to buy one. If you know some resources, that would be highly appreciated.
 

Yao

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Another question I have is, can I buy a russian tortoise from PetSmart? They said it's wild caught and it's 4-6 years old. I live in Missouri and can't find a breeder to buy one. If you know some resources, that would be highly appreciated.
Actually I found the answer, to buy it from a member here
 

wellington

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4x8 feet seems massive.. does 2x4 work?
No! 2x4 is way too small. They come from the wild. Even if captive bred and hatched they are still wired wild. They roam many miles in their territory. Imagine living in your bathroom and never seeing any place outside those 4 tight walls.
2x4 for hatchling
4x8 for adult Russian and they should also have an indoor and outdoor enclosure.
Search Craigslist or buy from a breeder on here. @Carol S
 
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Yao

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No! 2x4 is way too small. They come from the wild. Even if captive bred and hatched they are still wired wild. They roam many miles in their territory. Imagine living in your bathroom and never seeing any place outside those 4 tight walls.
2x4 for hatchling
4x8 for adult Russian and they should also have an indoor and outdoor enclosure.
Search Craigslist or buy from a breeder on here. @Carol S
Thank you! I've left @Carol S a message.
 

Fatnhappy

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Thanks. Is there a bookcase link that you share?
I would look at thrift stores, since you're pretty much just using the pre-built box of it. Just make sure to lysol it down and let it air for 24-48 hrs after. The shelving peg holes would also give you options for dividing it as needed, too
 

Yvonne G

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Yvonne G

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Yvonne G

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Yao

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Thanks for sharing @Yvonne G

@wellington Thanks for sharing the instructions. I tried it and it was definitely straightforward.

A couple of additional questions:
Is Cypress mulch from Home Depot a good substrate choice?
How high should the UV bulb be?
 

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