My Enclosure

[Leery24]

Hi guys, I was just wondering what people thought of my enclosure and if there was any suggested improvements. Thanks.

 

[Laurie]

Looks nice. Be careful with your temperatures, the window can cause overheating/drafts. Also, UVB does not pass through glass.

 

[Leery24]

Looks nice. Be careful with your temperatures, the window can cause overheating/drafts. Also, UVB does not pass through glass.

Hi, thanks for the reply. I have a UVA UVB bulb at the end and with it also being my room make sure I keep a nice fixed temperature.

 

[Julius25]

i'm agree with Laurie.
nice and your tort will enjoy the view

 

[wellington]

Looks nice. Be sure he can't climb the sides, that looks like quite a drop for him if he could.

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I don't see a water dish large enough for him to get in and out of. Also, the UVB/UVA isn't a coil bulb is it? If so get rid of it, it cause eye problems and even blindness in torts. The MVB and CHE need the ceramic sockets. Not sure the white light fixture is safe.

 

[Leery24]

i'm agree with Laurie.
nice and your tort will enjoy the view

Thanks, I was just wondering if they're is anything else to ease boredom as I find she scratches the walls quite a lot.

 

[Leery24]

Looks nice. Be sure he can't climb the sides, that looks like quite a drop for him if he could.

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I don't see a water dish large enough for him to get in and out of. Also, the UVB/UVA isn't a coil bulb is it? If so get rid of it, it cause eye problems and even blindness in torts. The MVB and CHE need the ceramic sockets. Not sure the white light fixture is safe.

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Thanks, I'll sort out a larger water area tomorrow. The UVA UVB Seems to be no cause of discomfort to neither herself or me but still I'd like to know how to see the difference. And I'm certain the basking lamp is attached well enough and does its job

 

[Tom]

First off, I think that is a pretty neat idea. Love the concept.

Here are some things I noticed:
1. The front wall toward the room is too low. That tortoise could get over it right now if it really wanted too. It might take a while to figure that out, or it might figure it out tomorrow.
2. A big terra cotta plant saucer sunk into the soil, will make a perfect water dish.
3. If the sun comes straight in that window, temps could get dangerous very quickly. Sounds like you are monitoring that, but others who get inspired by your idea should be aware of it too.
4. If you are using a coil type CFL bulb over there, you are risking damage to your tortoises eyes. We have seen this on the forum many times, and I have seen it in person too. Waiting until AFTER there is a problem when people who are warning you about problems they have seen, is not a good strategy in my opinion. I see the long florescent tube along the wall on the left. Is that your UV bulb? If yes, then all is well. Is the lamp fixture on the right an incandescent basking bulb?
5. Your tortoise might scratch less and feel a little more secure if you put a potted plant or two in there for some greenery and cover. Maybe some hibiscus, or something bushy that would hang over the sides?

 

[Leery24]

Thanks for the ideas. How high do you recommend the wall being. She has been in this table for a year now and I've never seen her close to getting over but your opinion would still be appreciated. And yes the tube is the uv light.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Nice!

 

[Tom]

Thanks for the ideas. How high do you recommend the wall being. She has been in this table for a year now and I've never seen her close to getting over but your opinion would still be appreciated. And yes the tube is the uv light.

General rule of thumb is a minimum of one and a half times scl for a single tortoise. Much more if more than one tortoise lives in the enclosure since they can climb on top of each other. My leopards do this outside to get on top of the areas that I have screened off where I grow food patches for them. Anyhow, 1.5x is an absolute minimum, and I like to go higher than that usually. So for a 6" tortoise you'd need at least a 9" high wall. I'd probably just go 12" to allow for growth and since its a common size for lumber to come in. Sometimes a really good escape artist, like some Russians, can still escape with the 1.5x rule. They are able to stand on their tippy toes, reach their front feet to the top of the wall and pull themselves up.

How tall is it from the substrate to the top of the wall at the shortest height? Sometimes pics can be deceiving that way.

 

[gerberwoman]

i hope you play the piano for her! i love this set-up!

 

[Leery24]

General rule of thumb is a minimum of one and a half times scl for a single tortoise. Much more if more than one tortoise lives in the enclosure since they can climb on top of each other. My leopards do this outside to get on top of the areas that I have screened off where I grow food patches for them. Anyhow, 1.5x is an absolute minimum, and I like to go higher than that usually. So for a 6" tortoise you'd need at least a 9" high wall. I'd probably just go 12" to allow for growth and since its a common size for lumber to come in. Sometimes a really good escape artist, like some Russians, can still escape with the 1.5x rule. They are able to stand on their tippy toes, reach their front feet to the top of the wall and pull themselves up.

How tall is it from the substrate to the top of the wall at the shortest height? Sometimes pics can be deceiving that way.

6 inches. And she is 6 inches long . I will be sure to make the update ASAP. Luckily 3 1/2 of the four sides are walls and she prefers climbing at the window. Thank you.

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i hope you play the piano for her! i love this set-up!

Thank you very much

 

[daringescape]

General rule of thumb is a minimum of one and a half times scl for a single tortoise. Much more if more than one tortoise lives in the enclosure since they can climb on top of each other. My leopards do this outside to get on top of the areas that I have screened off where I grow food patches for them. Anyhow, 1.5x is an absolute minimum, and I like to go higher than that usually. So for a 6" tortoise you'd need at least a 9" high wall. I'd probably just go 12" to allow for growth and since its a common size for lumber to come in. Sometimes a really good escape artist, like some Russians, can still escape with the 1.5x rule. They are able to stand on their tippy toes, reach their front feet to the top of the wall and pull themselves up.

How tall is it from the substrate to the top of the wall at the shortest height? Sometimes pics can be deceiving that way.

6 inches. And she is 6 inches long . I will be sure to make the update ASAP. Luckily 3 1/2 of the four sides are walls and she prefers climbing at the window. Thank you.

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i hope you play the piano for her! i love this set-up!

Thank you very much

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I would look into just extending that wall with a piece of plexiglass - that way the enclosure would look super high, and block your view out the window.

 

[waterboy]

Its a great idea very inventive just make sure to raise the wall and get a water dish so your tort can soak as it pleases. Just go to home depot or lowes and get a plant pot bottom they are only a couple bucks for a nice clay one.

 

[lovelyrosepetal]

Personally, I think your enclosure is unique and inventive. I love it. I prefer outdoor enclosures but I know that isn't always feasible. I have some sulcata tortoises and a few box turtles. My sulcatas don't climb much but I have seen my box turtles climbing in the very fashion that Tom described. It is precious and my box turtles are some of the most personable and hilarious animals I have ever seen. It is a good idea to raise the side, so kudos for taking good advice!