Is this suitable for a leopard tortoise hatchling?

[Detach]

Hey everyone, I have been preparing to get my baby leopard tortoise and I have been doing my research and I'm now ready to set up his enclosure. I have this gutted book case that I have in a storage room that I don't use. It is roughly 2.5' x 2.2' feet. I also have a pond liner I'm going to put on the bottom of it so the substrate isn't in direct contact with the wood. Here is a picture of it.
I put a baseball glove for a size comparison.


My question is, would this be suitable for a baby leopard and if so how long do you think I'd be able to use it?

 

[Maitaimommy]

Hello, I'd say it's a bit too small. Good idea to include the glove

 

[Detach]

Hello, I'd say it's a bit too small. Good idea to include the glove

Really? Even for a hatchling?

 

[Maitaimommy]

Yes, I believe it's too small

 

[Jodie]

It is a bit small, but it won't hold heat and humidity in is the worst thing. You need a closed chamber for babies. Raised garden beds with greenhouse covers work well for me.

Big storage container with lids can work with some ingenuity to get the lights inside. People cut holes in the lid, wrap with tin foil to protect the plastics, for the light and CHE.
I have also used tables, built a cold frame, and covered with plastic.

 

[Detach]

It is a bit small, but it won't hold heat and humidity in is the worst thing. You need a closed chamber for babies. Raised garden beds with greenhouse covers work well for me.
View attachment 215221 View attachment 215222 View attachment 215223
Big storage container with lids can work with some ingenuity to get the lights inside. People cut holes in the lid, wrap with tin foil to protect the plastics, for the light and CHE.
I have also used tables, built a cold frame, and covered with plastic.
View attachment 215224

Can't I just put plastic over the top of anything?

 

[Tom]

Really? Even for a hatchling?

The size is fine for a hatchling. The problem is that you won't be able to maintain the correct conditions in a tortoise table, low sided tub, or any other open topped enclosure, unless the whole room is always kept 80 and at 80% humidity. You'll need to use some sort of closed chamber to keep the correct temperature and humidity.

There is a lot is old, incorrect info floating around the world about how to care for this species. Please let us help you get the right info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Read this BEFORE you buy a baby:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/

Here is how it should be done:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-incubate-eggs-and-start-hatchlings.124266/

The above two threads will help you understand what questions to ask the breeder.

 

[Detach]

The size is fine for a hatchling. The problem is that you won't be able to maintain the correct conditions in a tortoise table, low sided tub, or any other open topped enclosure, unless the whole room is always kept 80 and at 80% humidity. You'll need to use some sort of closed chamber to keep the correct temperature and humidity.

There is a lot is old, incorrect info floating around the world about how to care for this species. Please let us help you get the right info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Read this BEFORE you buy a baby:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/

Here is how it should be done:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-incubate-eggs-and-start-hatchlings.124266/

The above two threads will help you understand what questions to ask the breeder.

But my question is can I place a plastic greenhouse esque thing over the open top to maintain humidity?

 

[Almanza Silvestre]

I believe the table is perfect for your Baby. You will have no proble controlling humidity and temperature. Your little one is expected to grow 2 to 4 inches a year, depending on temperature and diet, so plan on providing a larger enclosure as your tortoise grows. This will give you plenty of time to set up a larger enclosure for your little one.

 

[Detach]

I believe the table is perfect for your Baby. You will have no proble controlling humidity and temperature. Your little one is expected to grow 2 to 4 inches a year, depending on temperature and diet, so plan on providing a larger enclosure as your tortoise grows. This will give you plenty of time to set up a larger enclosure for your little one.

Are you guys not seeing what I am writing? I keep asking if I put a greenhouse esque plastic over the top can I control the humidity?

 

[Almanza Silvestre]

Yes, with a cover over the enclosure you will be able to control heat and humidity!!

 

[Tom]

But my question is can I place a plastic greenhouse esque thing over the open top to maintain humidity?

I've never tried it that way, so I have no personal experience to draw from, but it seems like it would work to me. You'll have to set it up and run it for a few days to watch what temps and humidity do.

 

[Tom]

I believe the table is perfect for your Baby. You will have no proble controlling humidity and temperature. Your little one is expected to grow 2 to 4 inches a year, depending on temperature and diet, so plan on providing a larger enclosure as your tortoise grows. This will give you plenty of time to set up a larger enclosure for your little one.

How many smooth leopard tortoises have you raised in an open table like that? Can we see some pics of the results you've produced using this method?

 

[Yvonne G]

That's just fine for a hatchling. Plenty of room to add plants, feeder, waterer, a couple hiding places and any other "furniture" you want to add. You also need to figure out a framework over the top so you can cover it and hang the lights. I just use plastic. It doesn't look all that "pretty" but it serves the purpose of keeping the cool house air out and the warm moist air in. Here's what my covers look like:

 

[Maitaimommy]

It's nice to see the clever contraptions people come up with. Very cool!
I'm trying to post a new thread but having trouble. Can someone please advise or send me a link?

 

[Yvonne G]

Go to the section you want to post in, for example "Enclosures."

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/tortoise-enclosures.7/

Click on "Post new thread" in the upper right corner and follow the directions from there.

 

[Maitaimommy]

Go to the section you want to post in, for example "Enclosures."

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/tortoise-enclosures.7/

Click on "Post new thread" in the upper right corner and follow the directions from there.

Thank you Yvonne G!