Leopard Tortoise Indoor enclosure

[Neal]

Looks good. If I were you I would add a couple of plants though.

What are you doing for the tortoises UVB requirements? ie...outside time, MVB, etc...

I have some plants growing but they are not ready to be put in yet, do you think I should put some fake ones in till they are ready?
I have heat lights and UVB lights they are just not in the pic, that was right when I put the enclosure together, and he also goes outside for 2 hours in the morning then at about 6:30 I put him back outside for another 2 hours since it doesnt get dark in AZ tell about 9pm. Do u think thats enough outside time?

I would put the fake plants in there. It might make him feel more comfortable.

I think that's a really good amount of outside time. Mine hatchlings stay outside all day long. It's a little tricky with our weather, but as long as they have a lot of shade it works pretty well.

 

[AshleyJones]

Looks good. If I were you I would add a couple of plants though.

What are you doing for the tortoises UVB requirements? ie...outside time, MVB, etc...

I have some plants growing but they are not ready to be put in yet, do you think I should put some fake ones in till they are ready?
I have heat lights and UVB lights they are just not in the pic, that was right when I put the enclosure together, and he also goes outside for 2 hours in the morning then at about 6:30 I put him back outside for another 2 hours since it doesnt get dark in AZ tell about 9pm. Do u think thats enough outside time?

I would put the fake plants in there. It might make him feel more comfortable.

I think that's a really good amount of outside time. Mine hatchlings stay outside all day long. It's a little tricky with our weather, but as long as they have a lot of shade it works pretty well.

I was thinking about getting some of this shade cloth to put over half of his outdoor enclosure, what do you think? Its helpful to have someone from AZ that knows how hot it gets!
http://www.shadeclothstore.com/products/sku-LB0406__dept-176.html

 

[Neal]

I have shade cloths too but when the ground temperature is almost 200 degrees in the direct sunlight they can only do so much. I made my enclosures against the house where a small area doesn't get sun shine at all during the day, that's the best thing to do in our heat, even when the ambient temp is 110+ the ground temperature will only be in the 90's. If you could make a set up like that, and also add the shade cloth to a portion of it, throw some plants in there, you should be alright.

 

[AshleyJones]

Okay I will go ahead and get the shade cloth then. Here is a pic of my outdoor enclosure, I get the plants for it today so he will have plants in there soon.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Start-of-Oso-s-new-outdoor-enclosure#axzz1SCugQJGI

 

[laramie]

Hello Ashley and Congrats on Oso. Hosw did you come up with that name? Just curious. I have a sulcata tort named Wilbur. I was using Timothy Hay for a substrate too, but now I am using Eco-Earth (I got it at Petco). Tom is a wonderful source of information.

C-ya,
Laramie and Wilbur

 

[AshleyJones]

Hello Ashley and Congrats on Oso. Hosw did you come up with that name? Just curious. I have a sulcata tort named Wilbur. I was using Timothy Hay for a substrate too, but now I am using Eco-Earth (I got it at Petco). Tom is a wonderful source of information.

C-ya,
Laramie and Wilbur

This forum has a ton of wonderful information, I find myself spending hours a day on it learning as much as I can LOL.
I have a 18 month old son who watches the Disney channel and His two fav shows are Mickey and Oso, so when I asked him what he wanted to name the baby turtle he said "Oso" LOL, thats how we came up with his name.

 

[TortieLuver]

I agree with Neal~putting some fake plants in there is great because it offers security for the lil' ones. Many people who contact me about hatchlings climbing walls and constantly flipping over usually disappears when a feeling of security is added. I know none of my hatchlings climb walls or flip onto their backs when given lots of places to hide (from the humid hide box to fake plants/vine laying in enclosure).

 

[lynnedit]

Since I do live in AZ I was thinking about trying to find some kind of auto mister with a timer to go off every few min or somthing like that.
[/quote]

I don't have Redfoots, but the automatic mister outside is a great idea. If you have a hose connector nearby, put a double outlet on it. Put a timer on one side and connect a supply hose. Keep the faucet on, and close off the other side to use as needed. Places like Home Depot, etc., sell drip kits and all of the supplies to set it up as you like. You can also use this idea to keep their water pool full as well. Shade cloth helps too.
Stores like Michael's or other craft stores sell fake plants, really nice ones, a lot cheaper than pet stores. You can also get some real house plants and water them for a few weeks to clear out fertilizer, etc., and then use them. Look at Terryo's enclosures for plant ideas, but spider plants are safe and make a nice plant hide.

 

[dav3]

hey i do things a little differently from everyone else ( not that anyone elses ways are wrong), glass tank,60w heat bulb,uv light,water dish, food dish and then woodchips for flooring. there is one rock in it ( good for trimming down beak or nails)