Feedback Wanted: Wooden Loft-Style Enclosure Design for a Russian Tortoise

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well. I live in Mexico City and I’m currently planning a new enclosure for my Russian tortoise. My room is somewhat small, so I don’t have a lot of extra floor space, but I really want to improve her current setup.

Right now, my tortoise is in a tank that measures approximately 1.20 m × 0.40 m, and I feel that it is too limited for her. Because of that, I’m thinking about building a larger wooden enclosure using the space above my bed, almost like a loft-bed style structure.

My room has a large window that allows a lot of natural light and some sunlight to come in. However, I would also like advice on proper lighting, temperature, and UVB, since I know natural light through a window is not enough on its own.

The general idea for the project is the following:

The structure would be made of wood and designed to go over a single bed. The bed measures approximately 1.10 m wide by 1.90 m long, so the main enclosure would have the same footprint: 1.10 m × 1.90 m.

The first level of the enclosure would be elevated 1.30 m from the floor, leaving enough space underneath for the bed.

I’m also thinking about adding a second level over part of the main enclosure. This second level would measure 1.10 m × 0.90 m. The vertical distance between the floor of the first level and the floor of the second level would be 40 cm.

The perimeter walls of the enclosure would be 20 cm high. At the top of these walls, I would add a 6 cm inward-facing lip to help prevent the tortoise from climbing out.

The second level would be connected to the first level with a ramp located in the right corner. The ramp would be 1.00 m long and 20 cm wide, with 10 cm high side rails on both sides to help prevent falls.

For substrate, I’m thinking about using orchid bark/pine bark, possibly combined with some coconut fiber in one area. I would like to know if this would be appropriate for a Russian tortoise, or if you would recommend a different substrate.

I based these measurements and ideas on several posts and recommendations I’ve seen about building better tortoise enclosures, but before starting the project, I would really appreciate your opinions.

Do you think this design would be safe and functional for a Russian tortoise?
Would you change the wall height, ramp, second level, or substrate choice?
I would also appreciate any advice about ventilation, lighting, temperature, UVB, and overall structural safety.

Thank you very much in advance for your recommendations.

This is what i want

Hello!

It's a nice idea. However, having bed on the top tier and a tortoise enclosure underneath would be preferred (**much easier maintenance**, better lightning). Also, keep in mind, that substrate and decorations are heavy and can easily go over 100 kilos for an enclosure of that size.

I would make separate posts/frame to hold the second tier - to prevent vibrations from propagating between tiers. You don't want your tortoise to experience "earthquakes" every time you turn in the bed.

On the attached picture distance between the mattress and second tier walls is 60 cm - it's too low (10 cm for mattress, 20 cm walls - no space for you to lie on your side).

You will need additional support posts and bed legs in the middle if you put enclosure on the top.

I would not build the second level in the enclosure: it takes a lot of vertical space and doesn't give much in term of walking opportunities. Instead, I would make higher walls, deeper substrate and more enriching landscape in the enclosure (tunnels, galleries, hills, burrows, bunkers etc.).

For lightning/heating you will need:
1. 24W or 39W T5 fluorerescent UVB lamp (Arcadia ProT5 or ZooMed T5 Terrarium Hood). There are two kinds - stronger (Desert, 12% or 10.0) and weaker (Forest 6% or 5.0). If you can place UVB light at 45-50cm above substrate level - go with Desert/10.0 options (it's preferred over Forest lamps). Don't fall for cheap chinese lamps for UVB, please.

2. Ambient LEDs - nothing fancy, regular shop lights from Barrina will work. However, you need more than one to recreate "bright sunny day" - 3-4 20W bars.

3. Basking lamp - incandescent floodlight bulbs e.g. Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight, Flukers Basking Spot.

4. Ambient heating - likely, is not necessary for an adult Russian tortoise.

Both coconut coir and orchid bark are okay for indoor setup. Bark weighs less - I would consider it (however, pine bark can have very strong long-lasting smell - please, check before buying).

Any chances to build him a space outdoors? Balcony, garden, patio?

I agree with Alex, an enclosure under the bed would be probably easier to maintain.