Enclosure Help Please!?

[TortoisesRock!]

I recently rescued a Russian tortoise and right now she is living in a big rubbermaid storage container. I would like to give her something a bit better, if I could. I was wondering if any one had tips or advice on what to do and how to do it? Pics would be extremely helpful! My parents won't let me go as crazy as I want to and build something huge, so maybe a 2 level would be a good idea? Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

 

[Defiant]

There are plenty of easy to do enclosures. Take a look around and decide what will work for you. Best of luck. Beautiful tort btw!

 

[tortoisenerd]

I think the easiest tort table to start out with is to buy 18 inch width (so you have room for substrate) plywood or pine boards and have the home improvement store cut it to lengths to make your box (account for the thickness). Put it together with screws, or use finishing nails. I also used some metal support angles on mine. I have a very partial top to clamp a CHE to, and use a lamp stand for my MVB. You can seal it with water based polyurethane if you want, or paint it (sand it down first), or neither. If you seal or paint, let it air out for about a week before putting the tort in. If using a moist substrate, line it with pond liner, shower pan liner, or a very heavy duty shower curtain. For a full grown Russian, I'd want to see about 12 sq ft or so, or the max you can provide. Two levels with a partial second level is great to maximize space, but takes some planning with the ramp as you can't make it too steep, and don't want the tort to walk under a heat fixture pointed on the first level.

They do make xmas tree storage containers that might be bigger than what you have, as well as stock tank, plastic ponds, Waterland tubs for turtles, and similar other large pre-made enclosures. Some people even sell pre-made enclosures or will follow your plans and build you one.

 

[goodsmeagol]

I recently rescued a Russian tortoise and right now she is living in a big rubbermaid storage container. I would like to give her something a bit better, if I could. I was wondering if any one had tips or advice on what to do and how to do it? Pics would be extremely helpful! My parents won't let me go as crazy as I want to and build something huge, so maybe a 2 level would be a good idea? Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Nice looking shell!
Big beak tho, I do not know much about that however.

I got my Russian, put him in a 50 gal rubbermaid - looks good
*Thats to small I said! so
I got a second 50 gal rubbermaid and attached them. - looks good
*uhmm I want something nicer, easier to landscape! so
I built a 6ft x 2ft box.- looks good!

For my new cage it is a simple box.
The front I made only 12" high so I can view from my couch.
The entire cage is an upward ramp with a few leveled off areas.
I am very happy with it.
When you make measurements, be sure to take into account the width of the wood for the sides, so my 24" wide cage really is only 23" because for the sides I used half inch melemine wood.
I lined the entire cage with a white tarp.
All from home depot total cost $80

NEW

OLD

 

[DonaTello's-Mom]

goodsmeagol I really like your set-up. Is there any way you can post a picture showing the whole enclosure? I'd like to see how you made your ramp. And if possible, at an angle where my neck isn't cramping from trying to look at it? Lol

 

[goodsmeagol]

goodsmeagol I really like your set-up. Is there any way you can post a picture showing the whole enclosure? I'd like to see how you made your ramp. And if possible, at an angle where my neck isn't cramping from trying to look at it? Lol

Hehee
The enclosure is about to undergo renovations, due to eye irritations hopefully(instead of another costly vet visit) caused by the sand I use.
I will try to remember to take pictures of it all.
The ramp is actually just two tupperware containers upside down.
Sort of a step of two sizes, then 3-6" of substrate on top of them.
_--``
The side is a more gradient slope up the entire side of the enclosure to the side of the bins.
My guy hardly digs except in his back corner under the slate tile where he sleeps most nights, where he goes about 2" down from what I can see.

I made 2 identical cages side by side.
Here is the 2 of them, not as close up, but you dont need to strain your neck It will also give you an idea of the front side being only 12" Theres only 2" of substrate below the front edge, where his water bowl is and just a flat landing. I know they are bull dogs, but I doubt he will move enough of the rocks to make his escape.

The Three Toe cage has undergone extensive landscaping in the left hand enclosure.

The front of the cages have an arch over them, with my tv on it, then the entire back is open except for a bit of a cross cross of wood with 3 lights hanging on each cage(brighter the better right?). When I rebuild my tort(Dog)s cage I will snap picks of that workup too. Through the center of the cages runs a wood wall up to 4" to minamalize species transfers(dunno how much it does, but makes me feel a bit better at least), and this also hel[sp ensure my tv will not fall (EAK).

http://lookup.netsnap.com/055942/netsnap.jpg
live link

 

[DonaTello's-Mom]

Thanks for the new pictures. Looks like your on the right track for your little friends! What I REALLY wanted to see is your ramp, a closeup shot?? If you can't no problem.

 

[goodsmeagol]

Thanks for the new pictures. Looks like your on the right track for your little friends! What I REALLY wanted to see is your ramp, a closeup shot?? If you can't no problem.

What ramp are you speaking?
There is no ramp per say... Just the bins under the substrate to avoid having 12" deep substrate at the back...
Then the right side is pure substrate with more at the back then at the front, a simple substrate ramp.
When I finish redoing it with new substrate, I will take pics of the under workings of the bins...

 

[ChiKat]

What a cute Russian! goodsmeagol I love your enclosure!

 

[TortieLuver]

I know the one I used to have loved his log as a den. I would highly suggest one.