Enclosure

[LittleLove]

Fred is a lovely little chap - at least he looks little in the photos - how much does he weigh ?
Angie

Thank You, I agree! Freds a little bugger.
I'm not sure Zolasmum. I know he's under a pound

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Wow, you are good. Great ideas. I just don't get the hydroponic tent. How would I use that with Freds enclosure

Here is the photo for example: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/tortilla-needs-you.193887/#post-1966596
Basically, you just lay the tent on the longer side and set everything inside.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thank You, I agree! Freds a little bugger.
I'm not sure Zolasmum. I know he's under a pound

Fred is so small, I would suggest weighing him weekly to keep an eye on the growth

 

[Megatron's Mom]

I used a raise garden bed with greenhouse. It works great. Each tiny one had a 4x4 space. The greenhouse is now open to just one tortoise now for a 4x8 enclosure. It made the most sense for me.

 

[LittleLove]

Fred is so small, I would suggest weighing him weekly to keep an eye on the growth

Yeah I was going to do that today when I soaked him but forgot, I guess I can do it when I change the soil to coconut coir.

 

[Tom]

Yeah I was going to do that today when I soaked him but forgot, I guess I can do it when I change the soil to coconut coir.

He needs to be in a closed chamber ASAP. He's starting to pyramid, and that damage is permanent and very hard to stop. You have one light over him. You need at least three, and four is better. These aren't optional things that you can get around to later. This is the tortoises life support system. You have to get these things done.

This thread might help you if budget is tight:

How to make a closed-chamber baby habitat out of a 55gal Sterilite bin

Since several folks have asked about how to make a closed chamber baby enclosure out of a 55gal Sterilite tote, here are some pics and description of how I do. This is not the most beautiful option, but since the babies will only be in here for 9-12 months, I'm okay with that. My own Russian...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[LittleLove]

He needs to be in a closed chamber ASAP. He's starting to pyramid, and that damage is permanent and very hard to stop. You have one light over him. You need at least three, and four is better. These aren't optional things that you can get around to later. This is the tortoises life support system. You have to get these things done.

This thread might help you if budget is tight:

How to make a closed-chamber baby habitat out of a 55gal Sterilite bin

Since several folks have asked about how to make a closed chamber baby enclosure out of a 55gal Sterilite tote, here are some pics and description of how I do. This is not the most beautiful option, but since the babies will only be in here for 9-12 months, I'm okay with that. My own Russian...

tortoiseforum.org

I will put a lid on his enclosure tomorrow, he is sleeping right now. Thanks Tom
I put one more light over him the Uva/b light. And yesterday I took him outside to get sun but he did not like it. So I brought him back in.

 

[Tom]

I will put a lid on his enclosure tomorrow, he is sleeping right now. Thanks Tom
I put one more light over him the Uva/b light. And yesterday I took him outside to get sun but he did not like it. So I brought him back in.

They need ambient heat too. The temperature in the coldest corner of that enclosure should stay 80 or higher. If your house is 80 at night, that is great. Will it stay that when as fall and winter approach?

Here is a breakdown of the four heating and lighting essentials:

1. Basking bulb. I use 65 watt incandescent floods from the hardware store. Some people will need bigger, or smaller wattage bulbs. Let your thermometer be your guide. I run them on a timer for about 12 hours and adjust the height to get the correct basking temp under them. I also like to use a flat rock of some sort directly under the bulb. You need to check the temp with a thermometer directly under the bulb and get it to around 95-100F (36-37C).
2. Ambient heat maintenance. I use ceramic heating elements or radiant heat panels set on thermostats to maintain ambient above 80 degrees day and night for tropical species. In most cases you'd only need day heat for a temperate species like Testudo or DT, as long as your house stays above 60F (15-16C) at night. Some people in colder climates or with larger enclosures will need multiple CHEs or RHPs to spread out enough heat.
3. Ambient light. I use LEDs for this purpose. Something in the 5000-6500K color range will look the best. Most bulbs at the store are in the 2500K range and they look yellowish. Strip or screw-in LED bulb types are both fine.
4. UV. If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour 2 or 3 times a week, you won't need indoor UV. In colder climates, get one of the newer HO type fluorescent tubes. Which type will depend on mounting height. 5.0 bulbs make almost no UV. I like the 12% HO bulbs from Arcadia. You need a meter to check this: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.htmlA good UV bulb only needs to run for 2-3 hours mid day. You need the basking bulb and the ambient lighting to be on at least 12 hours a day.

What makes you think he didn't like it? They need to be in a large enclosure outdoors with plenty of shade and areas to escape the hot sun. Whenever you move a baby to a new enclosure, it will take them some time to get used to it. After a few outings the unfamiliar enclosure will start to become familiar. Just putting them on the ground outside is not safe or effective.

Another way to get UV is to do your soaks in partial sun. How much sun depends on the ambient temp, but watch the water temp very closely, and be sure they don't end up in full sun with no shade and over heat.

 

[LittleLove]

I will put a lid on his enclosure tomorrow, he is sleeping right now. Thanks Tom
I put one more light over him the Uva/b light. And yesterday I took him outside to get sun but he did not like it. So I brought him back in.

Tom, do you think Fred is OK with the 2 lights I have? I guess Fred is going to also need a ceramic heat lamp, correct

 

[LittleLove]

They need ambient heat too. The temperature in the coldest corner of that enclosure should stay 80 or higher. If your house is 80 at night, that is great. Will it stay that when as fall and winter approach?

Here is a breakdown of the four heating and lighting essentials:

1. Basking bulb. I use 65 watt incandescent floods from the hardware store. Some people will need bigger, or smaller wattage bulbs. Let your thermometer be your guide. I run them on a timer for about 12 hours and adjust the height to get the correct basking temp under them. I also like to use a flat rock of some sort directly under the bulb. You need to check the temp with a thermometer directly under the bulb and get it to around 95-100F (36-37C).
2. Ambient heat maintenance. I use ceramic heating elements or radiant heat panels set on thermostats to maintain ambient above 80 degrees day and night for tropical species. In most cases you'd only need day heat for a temperate species like Testudo or DT, as long as your house stays above 60F (15-16C) at night. Some people in colder climates or with larger enclosures will need multiple CHEs or RHPs to spread out enough heat.
3. Ambient light. I use LEDs for this purpose. Something in the 5000-6500K color range will look the best. Most bulbs at the store are in the 2500K range and they look yellowish. Strip or screw-in LED bulb types are both fine.
4. UV. If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour 2 or 3 times a week, you won't need indoor UV. In colder climates, get one of the newer HO type fluorescent tubes. Which type will depend on mounting height. 5.0 bulbs make almost no UV. I like the 12% HO bulbs from Arcadia. You need a meter to check this: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.htmlA good UV bulb only needs to run for 2-3 hours mid day. You need the basking bulb and the ambient lighting to be on at least 12 hours a day.

What makes you think he didn't like it? They need to be in a large enclosure outdoors with plenty of shade and areas to escape the hot sun. Whenever you move a baby to a new enclosure, it will take them some time to get used to it. After a few outings the unfamiliar enclosure will start to become familiar. Just putting them on the ground outside is not safe or effective.

Another way to get UV is to do your soaks in partial sun. How much sun depends on the ambient temp, but watch the water temp very closely, and be sure they don't end up in full sun with no shade and over heat.

Because I had him in a little carrier and I had him in the sun and there was also shade but he kept going crazy trying to get out. I don't like seeing him stressed, so I brought him in

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Because I had him in a little carrier and I had him in the sun and there was also shade but he kept going crazy trying to get out. I don't like seeing him stressed, so I brought him in

Sunbathing is better in the morning hours (10-11AM, but check UV Index in weather forecast, optimal is 3-4). Also, first time outside is overwhelming for them - much more colors, smells and he needs a hide to get used to it and feel secure.

 

[LittleLove]

Can I use the wood from pallets to build my enclosure

Omg I am so excited, my husband was going to surprise me but he just told me that next week he's getting me this house for Fred. I'm sorry for telling you folks it's just I'm so excited for Fred.

 

[zolasmum]

Omg I am so excited, my husband was going to surprise me but he just told me that next week he's getting me this house for Fred. I'm sorry for telling you folks it's just I'm so excited for Fred.

That looks pretty fancy, but one thing struck me at once - the ramp. It doesn't look as though it has sides to it,and for a little chap like Fred, I should think you might need protection so he doesn't fall off, at least until he gets used to it.( Zola has a very wide ramp with narrow strips of self-adhesive draught excluder going across it at intervals to give extra grip)
Angie

 

[LittleLove]

That looks pretty fancy, but one thing struck me at once - the ramp. It doesn't look as though it has sides to it,and for a little chap like Fred, I should think you might need protection so he doesn't fall off, at least until he gets used to it.( Zola has a very wide ramp with narrow strips of self-adhesive draught excluder going across it at intervals to give extra grip)
Angie

What do you suggest I do

 

[zolasmum]

What do you suggest I do

Without seeing it properly or Fred on it, I can only say just try putting some sort of temporary sides on it - just flat pieces of wood or plastic which can be held in place by very strong tape, and see how he gets on.
Then you can work out a more solid arrangement - remembering that he will grow pretty fast !
Angie

 

[zovick]

Omg I am so excited, my husband was going to surprise me but he just told me that next week he's getting me this house for Fred. I'm sorry for telling you folks it's just I'm so excited for Fred.

With that type of house, you will be unable to provide the correct living conditions for your tortoise. Many people buy them and then come here later on looking for reasons why their tortoise is not thriving.

See if you can get your husband to do this for you and Fred (as Tom recommended in post #26) instead of buying that house which will not suit the needs of the animal:

How to make a closed-chamber baby habitat out of a 55gal Sterilite bin

Since several folks have asked about how to make a closed chamber baby enclosure out of a 55gal Sterilite tote, here are some pics and description of how I do. This is not the most beautiful option, but since the babies will only be in here for 9-12 months, I'm okay with that. My own Russian...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Omg I am so excited, my husband was going to surprise me but he just told me that next week he's getting me this house for Fred. I'm sorry for telling you folks it's just I'm so excited for Fred.

This housing isn’t appropriate for a baby tortoise like yours, you aren’t going to be able to maintain the humidity needed.

I linked you these before but not sure if you’ve read them? I definitely think they’ll help you to go through🙂

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for this guy until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give you some ideas! I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to...

tortoiseforum.org

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org