Adding a ramp to Stella's viv?

[RaspberrySam]

I'd like to add a bit of verticality to Stella's viv, for enrichment mostly. My original plan was to buy a guinea pig 'castle' such as this:

However, now I think about it, I realise that she already has a 'fort' of sorts with her humid hide, which is big enough to fill a considerable portion of her Viv already:

So my idea is to hot glue popsicle sticks around the top of the humid hide to make a fence about shell height, and for access, I'd buy or make a ramp similar to the one in the guinea pig example (made way bigger to accommodate Stella's growth).

Is this in any way viable? I'm worried about Stella climbing over the fence and flipping herself. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I'd like to add a bit of verticality to Stella's viv, for enrichment mostly. My original plan was to buy a guinea pig 'castle' such as this:
View attachment 384991
However, now I think about it, I realise that she already has a 'fort' of sorts with her humid hide, which is big enough to fill a considerable portion of her Viv already:
View attachment 384992
So my idea is to hot glue popsicle sticks around the top of the humid hide to make a fence about shell height, and for access, I'd buy or make a ramp similar to the one in the guinea pig example (made way bigger to accommodate Stella's growth).

Is this in any way viable? I'm worried about Stella climbing over the fence and flipping herself. Any insight would be appreciated.

Hello!
Maybe you can add more substrate around the humid hide to make a bunker under the hill?

 

[RaspberrySam]

Hello!
Maybe you can add more substrate around the humid hide to make a bunker under the hill?

That's not a bad idea. So, like, create a ramp using substrate to allow Stella to climb atop it?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yes Alex’s idea is great! I love this kind of idea @mojo_1 created! You could still add a side rail too

 

[mojo_1]

Yes Alex’s idea is great! I love this kind of idea @mojo_1 created! You could still add a side rail too
View attachment 385000

I did add a side rail. Just to update. Mojo the daredevil was upside down when I got home from work. Only about 15 minutes in total, but i put up rails first thing. All I had on hand at 6am was plexiglass. I'm currently out of fake greenery otherwise i would probably cover the plexiglass with it

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I did add a side rail. Just to update. Mojo the daredevil was upside down when I got home from work. Only about 15 minutes in total, but i put up rails first thing. All I had on hand at 6am was plexiglass. I'm currently out of fake greenery otherwise i would probably cover the plexiglass with it View attachment 385006View attachment 385007View attachment 385008

Wowwww! Above and beyond!! Love it!! This is definitely going in the visual inspiration thread as an update! Obsessed with the layout

 

[RaspberrySam]

Amazing ideas, and thanks for the references! I'll get some popsicle sticks and my hot glue gun and get to modifying

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I also suggest you add railing. My Russian would try to climb over his railing until he succeeded. Now I have added some height to it.

 

[COmtnLady]

Amazing ideas, and thanks for the references! I'll get some popsicle sticks and my hot glue gun and get to modifying

Debbie Downer here !
I'm concerned about gluing popsicle sticks. My tort is like a bulldozer when she wants to go somewhere, and popsicle sticks wouldn't even slow her down. And then there would be little spikey splintered sticks that don't do much.

We used to have a "rough" potting table in the yard against a wall of the house. It was made of scraps of wood tacked together, with 4x4 legs, and she could almost move that... It was all I could do to move it, sort of had to pick up an end and walk it out a few inches, then the same on the other end. But she'd wedge herself between the wall the a table leg and it would move a little.

 

[RaspberrySam]

Debbie Downer here !
I'm concerned about gluing popsicle sticks. My tort is like a bulldozer when she wants to go somewhere, and popsicle sticks wouldn't even slow her down. And then there would be little spikey splintered sticks that don't do much.

We used to have a "rough" potting table in the yard against a wall of the house. It was made of scraps of wood tacked together, with 4x4 legs, and she could almost move that... It was all I could do to move it, sort of had to pick up an end and walk it out a few inches, then the same on the other end. But she'd wedge herself between the wall the a table leg and it would move a little.

I admit to being concerned as well, but I will be keeping an eye on her and reinforcing if necessary. Stella is still small (only about 6cm SCL!) so I'm not too worried about her doing too much damage right now!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

That's not a bad idea. So, like, create a ramp using substrate to allow Stella to climb atop it?

Yes. Simply cover the whole hide in substrate to make a "hobbit house".

Here is the photo as a general idea. Tortoise can get on top and get down without turning around and it's not too steep to prevent flipping.