Built a tortoise table today

I wish I could go bigger but I don't have enough space in my house. Still need to get some things for it pond liner and then want to use a peat moss and cypress mulch mix.

How big is it? An adult Russian needs a minimum of a 4x8 foot. People without enough room will put a second level on. Could you possibly do that? Some will also make an L shape.
Depending on high that is, you could do another level on the floor. Light it with a flourescent attached to the bottom of the top level. It could be a cooler level. If it got too cold in the winter, you could enclose the sides with just a plastic skirting attached to the outside of the upper level. That way it would be easy to get into it when needed and hang a regular 60 watt incandescent light which would probably heat it enough to make it not so cool for the day time. Just a couple ideas.

I might have to try that this is 6 ft by 2 ft right now but I have another box that he is currently 3ft by 2ft that I might try adding on top so there is a 2nd level. I live in Iowa and it's still cold here until it gets warm enough for me to build and outdoor pen this is gonna have to do.

Selmer said:

I might have to try that this is 6 ft by 2 ft right now but I have another box that he is currently 3ft by 2ft that I might try adding on top so there is a 2nd level. I live in Iowa and it's still cold here until it gets warm enough for me to build and outdoor pen this is gonna have to do.

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I like the idea of putting his current enclosure on as the second level.

This is it finished so far. I'm gotta get someone to cut a hole in the middle of his old one then I'm gonna build a ramp so he has a 2nd level to go to. I was thinking of adding some plants any ideas on what plants are safe to use?

Spider plants are safe so long as they haven’t just come from a nursery. It’s a really easy plant to grow and actually throws out little baby plants. You may have a neighbor who is dying to give some away! Tortoises trample everything so you’ll probably want to keep them in pots and perhaps have a couple ready to rotate in and out. If you have space you can try hostas, also perhaps succulants in pots

Lots of people use fake plants. I know, they’re fake! But your tortoise wants a safe place to hide and they do the job.

Your tortoise is very pretty by the way.

RosemaryDW said:

Spider plants are safe so long as they haven’t just come from a nursery. It’s a really easy plant to grow and actually throws out little baby plants. You may have a neighbor who is dying to give some away! Tortoises trample everything so you’ll probably want to keep them in pots and perhaps have a couple ready to rotate in and out. If you have space you can try hostas, also perhaps succulants in pots

Lots of people use fake plants. I know, they’re fake! But your tortoise wants a safe place to hide and they do the job.

Your tortoise is very pretty by the way.

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Thank you so much!