Built an indoor enclosure

[kakashi_12]

Followed everyone's recommendation on here by getting rid of the 75 gallon tank & built a larger enclosure in my basement.
Pictures attached. After all this work, she still does not go anywhere else, but where the light is.
She goes to the food dish; that's it. I don't even see her bathe herself in the water dish anymore.
Will she ever explore the other parts?
I think it's big enough, I could probably own a 2nd tortoise.
Thoughts?

 

[Ink]

Tortoises don't do well in pairs. Is the floor warm?

 

[Yvonne G]

Takes time for a tortoise to embrace new digs. Give her a month or so.

 

[PollyAda]

It's very dark - perhaps add in some LED light to increase visible light. I'd also be concerned that it's too cold for her on the floor.

 

[kakashi_12]

It's very dark - perhaps add in some LED light to increase visible light. I'd also be concerned that it's too cold for her on the floor.

Definitely, since it's summer & the AC is on, & that is the basement (coldest part of the house).

 

[wellington]

You need to add more light to the area outside the box. Add some plants for cover and get a infrared temp gun and temp the floor. Also more heat may need to be added to area outside the box. If she is always under heat that might suggest the rest of the areas are too cold.
What species and how old?
No, it's not big enough for two and tortoises can't be housed in pairs.

 

[Tom]

I agree with all the previous posters. The entire enclosure must be warm and lit. We are trying to simulate the bright sunny outdoors in our indoor enclosures.

 

[kakashi_12]

Ok. I can add more light, but you guys also told me to have darkness as well....
Russian, about 2-3 yrs old.

I know I'm still new at this, but this is so confusing.

 

[SinLA]

It should have dark spot in the form of hides and shade they can get away from the light, rather than having large parts of the enclosure be kept in the dark. Does that make sense?

 

[Kayleigh Smith]

the dark spots should be little hides, maybe 2 that are just like caves for them> Here is a image of a built in hide, and the second is one you can just plop in there. Make sure they are roomy for the tortoise. Also I dont know if you have the right substrate...it looks like it is the kind used for gerbils and stuff. Can someone else tell me if the substrate is wrong for the tortoise. I use a reptibark by zoomed and that is good for humidity and everything so that might be good to try it is at petsmart

 

[kakashi_12]

Since it's summer time & my AC is on, I've decided to put her in my outdoor enclosure for majority of the day.
In the natural sunshine & shade.