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- Mar 19, 2013
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My tort is in a small tank right now ive had him for a few days but i know he already needs a new enclosure. What should i use? Is it ok to move him before hes used to living with me?
New enclosure
- Thread starter Scoutsboy
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If you go to the tortoise enclosures section there are some killer ideas that you can check out. Some people use big rubbermaid or sterlite tubs, the kind you organize your life with. I have read suggestions to get the large ones, like the ones you store a Christmas tree in but I don't know if that is easy to find right now. Someone had pics of how they cut the sides of two and joined them together to make one, with duct tape. It was pretty neat. If I can find it I will shoot you the link.
For substrate, coco coir or coco bark rocks. I recently saw blocks of it at Target so if you are here in the states (some people on the forum live in other countries) see if you can get some. Price was great at 2.47 a block. Woo hoo! I have attached a picture. I found it where the seed rack is in the garden section. Also, they had a good selection of seeds, like lettuce mixes with like 4 different types in one packet. I also bought "cat grass" seeds which is usually either oats or wheat. I put some in my enclosure covered them up with the coco coir. They sprouted pretty quickly and in that corner of my enclosure it looks like a little lawn. Healthy, too. Remember lots of variety and Greek tortoises really like broadleaf weeds, dandelions, cactus pads, roses, grape leaves, hibiscus. Just make sure it is not sprayed with chemical fertilizers or pesticides. If there is an open field with weeds, and you know it hasn't be sprayed, you could do some guerilla weed picking and get lots of yummy stuff for your tortoise, for free! Just make super sure there has been no spraying going on, otherwise find another field or lot. Some of those weeds you can dig up and transplant into your enclosure and let your little Greek graze. They may keep coming back, too. Hope this helps you get started on a cool habitat for your tortoise. : )
For substrate, coco coir or coco bark rocks. I recently saw blocks of it at Target so if you are here in the states (some people on the forum live in other countries) see if you can get some. Price was great at 2.47 a block. Woo hoo! I have attached a picture. I found it where the seed rack is in the garden section. Also, they had a good selection of seeds, like lettuce mixes with like 4 different types in one packet. I also bought "cat grass" seeds which is usually either oats or wheat. I put some in my enclosure covered them up with the coco coir. They sprouted pretty quickly and in that corner of my enclosure it looks like a little lawn. Healthy, too. Remember lots of variety and Greek tortoises really like broadleaf weeds, dandelions, cactus pads, roses, grape leaves, hibiscus. Just make sure it is not sprayed with chemical fertilizers or pesticides. If there is an open field with weeds, and you know it hasn't be sprayed, you could do some guerilla weed picking and get lots of yummy stuff for your tortoise, for free! Just make super sure there has been no spraying going on, otherwise find another field or lot. Some of those weeds you can dig up and transplant into your enclosure and let your little Greek graze. They may keep coming back, too. Hope this helps you get started on a cool habitat for your tortoise. : )
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Yup, check out the enclosure section, and google "tortoise enclosure" pics.
For a quick fix on a budget, those 54-gal rubbermaid totes are great. You can set up your tortoise in one until you decide on how to go about building a more permanent enclosure.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-54-Gallon-Roughneck-Hi-Top-Tote-FG3A05H2MICBL/100673965
Some people have even duct-taped two of these together to make an even larger enclosure - I believe this one was done by forum member sueb4653:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-59799.html
If you have some basic wood working tools tools, you can make a nice 2x4 or 2x6 enclosure out of plywood or laminated solid pine. Or you can get a used book case and yank out the shelves. Line the inside with a tough shower curtain, or get some pond liner (better) to water proof the bottom.
If you're not worried about other animals (cats, dogs, etc) getting into the enclosure, you don't need a robust cover. A plank of wood on the cool hide side, and you can reuse the mesh cover of your current terrarium and place it sideways on the warm side of the new enclosure to support your basking lights.
For a quick fix on a budget, those 54-gal rubbermaid totes are great. You can set up your tortoise in one until you decide on how to go about building a more permanent enclosure.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-54-Gallon-Roughneck-Hi-Top-Tote-FG3A05H2MICBL/100673965
Some people have even duct-taped two of these together to make an even larger enclosure - I believe this one was done by forum member sueb4653:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-59799.html
If you have some basic wood working tools tools, you can make a nice 2x4 or 2x6 enclosure out of plywood or laminated solid pine. Or you can get a used book case and yank out the shelves. Line the inside with a tough shower curtain, or get some pond liner (better) to water proof the bottom.
If you're not worried about other animals (cats, dogs, etc) getting into the enclosure, you don't need a robust cover. A plank of wood on the cool hide side, and you can reuse the mesh cover of your current terrarium and place it sideways on the warm side of the new enclosure to support your basking lights.
Thanks for finding that link Rogue. That's exactly the image I was hoping Scoutsboy would be able to see for inspiration. So creative!
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- Mar 19, 2013
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Rogue said:
Thanks for both of your help i started building a table myself today but i need some more wood to finish
Its 4 3/4 ft. Length and 2 ft. Wide
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Awesomeness. Can't wait to see as it progresses.
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