enclosure advise

[fel1958]

thanx for the welcomes.im still learning how to use the forum.this site is the best.im looking for some help.im using a 50 50 playsand top soil substrate.i added a nice size slate roofing shingle from years ago.there is a covered area with bark.they like it there at nite.my heat lamp is on a timer.12 on,12 off.if anyone can comment that would be great.im allways looking for a better quality way of life for these guys.

 

[tortoisenerd]

Hi there! From what you say that sounds nice, but a picture really is worth more than 1,000 words here. If you can possibly post a few photos of the enclosure I'd guarantee you that you'll get comments.

 

[Crazy1]

Fel 1958 I agree a pic would help greatly but a few questions I know you have Marginated torts, what is the temp in their enclosure, cool and warm sides day and night, what is the humidity? I take it this is an inside enclosure, what are you using for UVB?

 

[fel1958]

thanx for the welcomes.im still learning how to use the forum.this site is the best.im looking for some help.im using a 50 50 playsand top soil substrate.i added a nice size slate roofing shingle from years ago.there is a covered area with bark.they like it there at nite.my heat lamp is on a timer.12 on,12 off.if anyone can comment that would be great.im allways looking for a better quality way of life for these guys.

 

[Meg90]

They all live in there, together?

That's a big no-no. A BIG one.

That enclosure is hardly big enough for two tortoises, let alone, um, six. Especially with your size/age differences.

You need to separate them asap. Like, each into its own enclosure, with a max of two in one. They absolutely cannot continue to live in that manner.
With that many tortoises in there, it doesn't really matter how much better you make the enclosure, because of the mental stress that all of the animals are
under from living in such close quarters.

I am glad that you want to make changes for them. It shows good heart. But you really do need to build some more enclosures or buy some bins
and use those...and your substrate looks a little dry as well.

Were they all in the same enclosure for the photo or something?

 

[Yvonne G]

Well, in my opinion, its not as bad as all that. But if all those Marginateds were mine, I would house the two larger ones in the existing habitat and provide another, same size, for the smaller ones. Also it might be nice for them to have some visual barriers and some hiding places. Otherwise, it's a nice-looking habitat. I particularly like the covers you improvised. Those are recessed ceiling light covers, right? What a clever idea! The eating slate is also a good idea.

Yvonne

 

[nrfitchett4]

I agree that some hides would be helpful and maybe plant some grass seed in the substrate, really helps. Also make sure you moisten it with warm water a couple times a week.
Nice looking torts.

 

[Millerlite]

do you plan to house the older ones outdoors once it warms up? I say hides would be good. Lots of them.

 

[fel1958]

They all live in there, together?

That's a big no-no. A BIG one.

That enclosure is hardly big enough for two tortoises, let alone, um, six. Especially with your size/age differences.

You need to separate them asap. Like, each into its own enclosure, with a max of two in one. They absolutely cannot continue to live in that manner.
With that many tortoises in there, it doesn't really matter how much better you make the enclosure, because of the mental stress that all of the animals are
under from living in such close quarters.

I am glad that you want to make changes for them. It shows good heart. But you really do need to build some more enclosures or buy some bins
and use those...and your substrate looks a little dry as well.

Were they all in the same enclosure for the photo or something?

thanks everyone.how about a larger box for all of them.why seperate them?yes this is a drop ceiling panel

 

[Yvonne G]

thanks everyone.how about a larger box for all of them.why seperate them?yes this is a drop ceiling panel

If they get along and everyone is getting their fair share of the food, there's no reason to separate them, providing the habitat is larger. Sometimes when you have larger and smaller tortoises together, the smaller ones get stressed out because the larger ones keep telling them to get out of this territory...it's mine! And the smaller ones have no place to go to get away from the larger ones. It sometimes happens "mentally" and the only thing you, the keeper, will see is that the smaller tortoise hides a lot and stays away from the food.

Nice-looking group of tortoises. I can't wait to see pictures of them as they grow.

Yvonne

 

[fel1958]

thanks everyone.how about a larger box for all of them.why seperate them?yes this is a drop ceiling panel

If they get along and everyone is getting their fair share of the food, there's no reason to separate them, providing the habitat is larger. Sometimes when you have larger and smaller tortoises together, the smaller ones get stressed out because the larger ones keep telling them to get out of this territory...it's mine! And the smaller ones have no place to go to get away from the larger ones. It sometimes happens "mentally" and the only thing you, the keeper, will see is that the smaller tortoise hides a lot and stays away from the food.

Nice-looking group of tortoises. I can't wait to see pictures of them as they grow.

Yvonne

thank you.i will make 2 larger enclosures and keep them apart.they all seem to eat and hang out together.i will seperate them before there is a problem.

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do you plan to house the older ones outdoors once it warms up? I say hides would be good. Lots of them.

i need to build an outdoor enclosure for them.im not all sure about it.i need to protect them from critters,like coons,birds etc.

 

[Crazy1]

fel1958, I know you live in the Tri States but I am not not sure if it is a city or rural area you live in, but in the enclosure section there are some pretty awsome outside enclosures. And a lot of people put their torts outside during the daytime but bring them in at night to prevent preditors from getting to them. (Just a thought) Wire cloth over the top (like your recessed ceiling light covers) would work for a top to keep birds out. (Just kinda thinkn out loud here.)