Multi story enclosure

[Sheldonesrey]

Hey, I have a 18 month old hermann tortoise, he currently lives in a fairly big enclosure, separated bedroom type.

I am wanting to get a multi story enclosure to give him so entertainment going up and down the different areas, however I can’t seem to find anything online, does anyone know where to get a big multi story enclosure (indoor) from?

If it’s not possible who do i contact to build one professionally?

Attached a pic of his current one

 

[mojo_1]

I believe multiple levels is a build your own situation. If you do get something multiple level make sure you have guard rail walls on the ramps so the tortoise can fall off the ramp and get stuck upside down. My advice is to have a single level larger enclosure and put some tunnels or low level ramps in it. Something like this.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hey, I have a 18 month old hermann tortoise, he currently lives in a fairly big enclosure, separated bedroom type.

I am wanting to get a multi story enclosure to give him so entertainment going up and down the different areas, however I can’t seem to find anything online, does anyone know where to get a big multi story enclosure (indoor) from?

If it’s not possible who do i contact to build one professionally?

Attached a pic of his current one

Hello!
There were a few pre-built tortoise houses with multiple levels, balconies and such... Stay away from them Tortoises need "flat space" to comfortably navigate around the enclosure - so simplier builds work better. But these are custom or DIY builds, there are no "off the shelf" enclosures like this.

Before building a two-level enclosure - try to jusr increase the footprint. The one, you have now, is 3x2 feet - it's not that large. For a fully grown Hermanns your aim is 32 sq. ft. or more (two-level 6x3 or single-level 8x4).

Some ideas for multi-level builds can be found here: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/enclosure-inspiration.220597/

As long as your tortoise is small enough, you can just add a gallery and tunnels (like in the post by mojo_1 above). Something like plastic rain gutters or PVC sewage pipes can work when buried and covered with substrate.

A first step to take, is perhaps, to remove the divider wall in the existing enclosure, fill it with correct substrate (like coco coir) and experiement a bit with landscaping (add some line of sight breakers, hills and slopes).

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! I hope you don’t mind my saying that there are quite a few things off with this set up, I promise I’m not saying it to offend you, you’ve actually been sold a very common incorrect starter set up.

First up substrate, your substrate looks to be some kind of reptisoil and very dry, these soils are often mixed with sand(that white stuff needs to go too) which poses an impaction risk, and to achieve the humidity needed for a younger tortoise, the dampness you need makes these kind of substrates very muddy. That edible bedding is also inappropriate, your species isn’t a grass eater, these long dry strands can also potentially block your tortoise, and again for the dampness needed, this kind of stuff moulds.

Next up enclosure type, unfortunately these enclosures aren’t really build to maintain the higher humidity younger tortoises need, luckily yours is reaching an age where this hopefully isn’t a major issue, but I’d be curious if we could get a photo? It’ll help us determine how much potential growth your tortoise has to do.

Those water dishes unfortunately lack any grip and aren’t the easiest for the tortoise to navigate.

If your guy still has a fair bit of growing to do, he may benefit from a covered enclosure for another 6 months or so, this thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check your bulbs, folks are often sold the wrong ones), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers, I think a bunch of the cover options will work for the set up you have

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes different closed chamber options, I don’t think your guy will need it for long(depending on his size) but some of the covers in here can be cheap to make

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

This idea in particular might be useful


This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room, including multi story examples

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

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

Hope they help! Sorry it’s a lot to go overbut please take all the time you need and come back with any further questions

 

[Sheldonesrey]

Hello! I hope you don’t mind my saying that there are quite a few things off with this set up, I promise I’m not saying it to offend you, you’ve actually been sold a very common incorrect starter set up.

First up substrate, your substrate looks to be some kind of reptisoil and very dry, these soils are often mixed with sand(that white stuff needs to go too) which poses an impaction risk, and to achieve the humidity needed for a younger tortoise, the dampness you need makes these kind of substrates very muddy. That edible bedding is also inappropriate, your species isn’t a grass eater, these long dry strands can also potentially block your tortoise, and again for the dampness needed, this kind of stuff moulds.

Next up enclosure type, unfortunately these enclosures aren’t really build to maintain the higher humidity younger tortoises need, luckily yours is reaching an age where this hopefully isn’t a major issue, but I’d be curious if we could get a photo? It’ll help us determine how much potential growth your tortoise has to do.

Those water dishes unfortunately lack any grip and aren’t the easiest for the tortoise to navigate.

If your guy still has a fair bit of growing to do, he may benefit from a covered enclosure for another 6 months or so, this thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check your bulbs, folks are often sold the wrong ones), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers, I think a bunch of the cover options will work for the set up you have

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes different closed chamber options, I don’t think your guy will need it for long(depending on his size) but some of the covers in here can be cheap to make

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

This idea in particular might be useful
View attachment 391413

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room, including multi story examples

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

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

Hope they help! Sorry it’s a lot to go overbut please take all the time you need and come back with any further questions

Hey, I have a 18 month old hermann tortoise, he currently lives in a fairly big enclosure, separated bedroom type.

I am wanting to get a multi story enclosure to give him so entertainment going up and down the different areas, however I can’t seem to find anything online, does anyone know where to get a big multi story enclosure (indoor) from?

If it’s not possible who do i contact to build one professionally?

Attached a pic of his current one

 

[Sheldonesrey]

Sorry these are updated pics of his enclosure I have learnt a lot more about correct substrate so only use soil now and got rid of the straw type material and sand…. I think it’s good idea to make tunnels too

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Sorry these are updated pics of his enclosure I have learnt a lot more about correct substrate so only use soil now and got rid of the straw type material and sand…. I think it’s good idea to make tunnels too

Ooo he looks a bit bigger in the first two pics here, and have to say his shell is looking pretty damn good!

If wanting a soil like substrate, I’d definitely recommend going with coco coir, have it damp and firmly packed down by hand, if left loose and fluffy it can dry out quicker. I’d also recommend switching out that water dish for a clay terracotta saucer, they’re a much safer option and easier for the tortoise to use. I’d probably also mount the monitors a little bit lower so you’re getting more accurate ground readings

I’m glad you’re looking at ways to expand his room to explore, he’s going to love ithopefully you can find some ideas on here

 

[Sheldonesrey]

Ooo he looks a bit bigger in the first two pics here, and have to say his shell is looking pretty damn good!

If wanting a soil like substrate, I’d definitely recommend going with coco coir, have it damp and firmly packed down by hand, if left loose and fluffy it can dry out quicker. I’d also recommend switching out that water dish for a clay terracotta saucer, they’re a much safer option and easier for the tortoise to use. I’d probably also mount the monitors a little bit lower so you’re getting more accurate ground readings

I’m glad you’re looking at ways to expand his room to explore, he’s going to love ithopefully you can find some ideas on here

Thank you, I will have a look around and yeah about the monitors I was always fearful he might try and eat them.

I used to use the coco coir but I have an additional underground heat mat (about 4-5 inches under the soil for the winter and I read that you can’t put coco coir on top of it as it’s flammable? I also put the slate thing up at the moment so reduce him climbing on top of the cave as I’m trying to grow tortoise seed up there so he can graze hopefully once it’s grown a bit more he can go up there again.

Noted about the drinking bowl

Thanks for the ideas

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you, I will have a look around and yeah about the monitors I was always fearful he might try and eat them.

I used to use the coco coir but I have an additional underground heat mat (about 4-5 inches under the soil for the winter and I read that you can’t put coco coir on top of it as it’s flammable? I also put the slate thing up at the moment so reduce him climbing on top of the cave as I’m trying to grow tortoise seed up there so he can graze hopefully once it’s grown a bit more he can go up there again.

Noted about the drinking bowl

Thanks for the ideas

I wouldn’t recommend belly heat for this little guy, tortoises burrow down into the substrate to thermoregulate, if he burrows he’s getting closer to the heat source and it’ll have the opposite effect, they need to receive their heat from above, if you’re needing an extra heat source during winter, I’d look into a CHE(ceramic heat emitter) it’s a none light emitting heat bulb, you run it on a thermostat, set the thermostat for your desired minimal temperature, and it’ll turn on/off as and when needed

 

[mojo_1]

Also it is not a good source for radiant heat and doesn't promote the habits for basking. For the basking species of tortoises that is.