Habitat

[Liana]

I am considering using this cage for a habitat. Is there any reason why this may not work. I have this for my guinea pig and I am considering using just the bottom portion for my Russians. I think it would make a great tortoise table. Can anyone see anything that might be a danger. (Keeping in mind there will be no ramp or second floor.)

Thanks,

Liana

 

[GBtortoises]

I'd be concerned about them constantly climbing the mesh sides and falling onto their backs, each other and other items in the cage. If that is one of the cages I think that it is the solid panels are a like corrugated cardboard only plastic. If so I wouldn't think it would hold up well to tortoise claws.

Why not just use a large rubbermaid container?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Liana:

Welcome to the forum!!

In MY OPINION, tortoises need to be outside...especially adult Russian tortoises. Is there any way you can build an outdoor habitat for the tortoises? If that's totally impossible, then bigger is better for indoors. Go around to yard sales and try to find an old wooden 4 or 5 shelf book case. Take out the shelves, line it with a plastic shower curtain, put in some substrate, decorate it and Voila!! tortoise table.

 

[Liana]

I'd be concerned about them constantly climbing the mesh sides and falling onto their backs, each other and other items in the cage. If that is one of the cages I think that it is the solid panels are a like corrugated cardboard only plastic. If so I wouldn't think it would hold up well to tortoise claws.

Why not just use a large rubbermaid container?

I do have them in a large rubbermaid container now, but I was looking for something that will give them more room. This looked like an easy way to make a tortoise table for someone who isn't very crafty.

Thank you for the feedback. They could indeed try to climb the sides and flip over. As far as the pan holding up, I'm going to see how it holds up with the guinea pig before I make a decision.

Thank you for the feedback.

---

Hi Liana:

Welcome to the forum!!

In MY OPINION, tortoises need to be outside...especially adult Russian tortoises. Is there any way you can build an outdoor habitat for the tortoises? If that's totally impossible, then bigger is better for indoors. Go around to yard sales and try to find an old wooden 4 or 5 shelf book case. Take out the shelves, line it with a plastic shower curtain, put in some substrate, decorate it and Voila!! tortoise table.

I am looking into outdoor habitats. I'm not sure how to build a safe one, but I'm researching it. At any rate, I live in the mountains so it's not a year round option for me. I need an indoor habitat as well. I was interested in turning this particular cage into a tortoise table because it has an enclosed top. I have other pets in the house, so I like them to be totally protected.

I do get them out daily when weather permits, and an outdoor habitat is on my to do list. I was just wondering if this could work for an instant indoor tortoise table. :shy:

Thank you for the feedback.

 

[Yvonne G]

Well, yeah, of course it would work. You would have to keep in mind and be watchful for what Gary mentioned. What is the "footprint" dimension? Can't tell from the picture how big it is. Personally, I don't like it and wouldn't use it for my tortoises, however, it may work out real well for you. You just have to give it a try and see how your tortoise is while living in it.

 

[Liana]

Well, yeah, of course it would work. You would have to keep in mind and be watchful for what Gary mentioned. What is the "footprint" dimension? Can't tell from the picture how big it is. Personally, I don't like it and wouldn't use it for my tortoises, however, it may work out real well for you. You just have to give it a try and see how your tortoise is while living in it.

Here's what the company sent me regarding actual dimensions. One-level 28"Widex42"Longx14"High . It looks more spacious than what they're in now. What made me think this might be good for the tortoises is the size as well as the fact that it has a lid that can close. I'll have to think about whether I want to try it or not.

 

[GBtortoises]

Those style cages have become very popular within the last couple of years. They are constructed with 14" x 14" modular panels. You can buy more panels and connectors to add on almost endlessly to the original cage. The same panels were originally used in the retail industry as item display boxes. Somebody along the way got the idea to convert them to modular small animal cages and came up with a bunch of accessories for them. They actually work very well for small animals like rabbits & guinea pigs. But I don't think they were designed with tortoises in mind.