Hi 👋🏽! Ive been following this forum for a few months now to prep before getting Taco, our 1 year old Testudo Hermanni Boettgeri a few weeks ago.
Taco was in a plastic box (with all the basics) for the first few weeks, and slept a lot. We put him into his new enclosure, which is a upcycled ikea cabinet, and Taco is much more active and seems so happy! He’s always exploring. We also have a garden and let him explore a few hrs a day - but only when it was still warm (I live in Vienna, Austria).
Since I’m a newbie, I’d appreciate some feedback on the enclosure. Am I missing anything? Do you spot any hazards?
Some specs:::
Waterproofing: The interior is coated with non-toxic, waterproof “boat paint”. It’s paint they use for the outside and insides of boats. And we did a concrete style top coat on to the exterior … which is often used for kitchen counter tops so is also waterproof.
Interior. I kept the inside pretty simple with some plants, water, food, and the bottom right I’ve just planted some tortoise friendly herb and flower seeds which should hopefully start sprouting and blooming in 3-5 weeks.
Heat. I have a ceramic heat lamp that - heats that spot between 26-29 C. Since the enclosure is big, I keep it on all day, the other side is cooler and at 21-24 C.
UVB. We have the following UVB light: Arcadia Pro T5 UV-B Kit (D3+ Desert 12% UV-B, 24W/550mm) - positioned in the back center, and not too far from the heat source. It’s on a timer for 12hrs a day (8am-8pm).
Hiding. I have some plants (non toxic based on my research) and a sideways pot he usually sleeps in. I will open up the right side when he’s a bit bigger, right now we blocked it off for him.
Happy to share more details.
Questions:
Thank you!!!
Taco was in a plastic box (with all the basics) for the first few weeks, and slept a lot. We put him into his new enclosure, which is a upcycled ikea cabinet, and Taco is much more active and seems so happy! He’s always exploring. We also have a garden and let him explore a few hrs a day - but only when it was still warm (I live in Vienna, Austria).
Since I’m a newbie, I’d appreciate some feedback on the enclosure. Am I missing anything? Do you spot any hazards?
Some specs:::
Waterproofing: The interior is coated with non-toxic, waterproof “boat paint”. It’s paint they use for the outside and insides of boats. And we did a concrete style top coat on to the exterior … which is often used for kitchen counter tops so is also waterproof.
Interior. I kept the inside pretty simple with some plants, water, food, and the bottom right I’ve just planted some tortoise friendly herb and flower seeds which should hopefully start sprouting and blooming in 3-5 weeks.
Heat. I have a ceramic heat lamp that - heats that spot between 26-29 C. Since the enclosure is big, I keep it on all day, the other side is cooler and at 21-24 C.
UVB. We have the following UVB light: Arcadia Pro T5 UV-B Kit (D3+ Desert 12% UV-B, 24W/550mm) - positioned in the back center, and not too far from the heat source. It’s on a timer for 12hrs a day (8am-8pm).
Hiding. I have some plants (non toxic based on my research) and a sideways pot he usually sleeps in. I will open up the right side when he’s a bit bigger, right now we blocked it off for him.
Happy to share more details.
Questions:
- Is it okay? What can I improve?
- I’m also thinking about putting a full spectrum grow light in there for the seeds, but so nervous if this light is okay for Taco, thoughts? (This one - Parus by Venso E27 LED Plant Lamp Full Spectrum 'Winter' 7 W 120°, Improved Photosynthesis, Higher Chlorophyll Formation, Growth Light for Indoor Plants, Vegetables, Flowers https://amzn.eu/d/5QqpQ1v)
- One thing I notice, he doesn’t want to sleep as much since this enclosure became his new home. I hope it’s because he’s excited. But let me know if it could be something else?
- He still scratches the corners, etc though it’s a big enclosure and dark I side. Why could it be?
Thank you!!!