New Owner Enclosure Help

[Chlo333]

Hello!
Sorry, this may be a bit long but I'm desperately seeking advice. I've got no tortoise experience at all (I keep other reptiles & amphibs). I was asked to take this baby tortoise from someone who was keeping it in a cardboard box and decided it was boring and didn't do anything. I couldn't say no after seeing the state it was living in.
I ordered a tortoise starter kit online and assumed that was everything it needed and got it set up. It came with a red heat lamp, heat mat, UV bulb and some wood shavings and of course the viv.
I got tortoise set up and realised there was no thermostat so ordered one straight away for the bulb. I'll attach pictures.

Picture 1:
How he was first set up. Having no experience I trusted this and thought he was fine. Straight away he began climbing the walls and flipping onto his back, every 5 minutes I was having to flip him back over. I knew this wasn't right so I began googling and have come across this forum. I have read so many threads and have gained lots of information so straight away began making changes.

Picture 2:
I learned about humidity and substrate and swapped out the wood chips for coco coir and added in 2 thermostat/thermometers at each end. I also learned that the red bulb was not adequate so bought the correct bulb. He was still wall climbing but also was now digging into the substrate. He was also climbing the hides and flipping over.

Picture 3:
I added deeper substrate to accommodate digging and created hills to make it a bit more exciting for him. I've removed the coconut hide because it was too small and just a flip hazard. I buried the log hide to create a different texture for him to walk across as he doesn't use it as a hide. The other end (behind the camera) there's a big Cork hide and plants arranged to create another hide. I haven't put one in the hot end because he prefers to dig holes and sleep thar end and wasn't using hides there anyway. He was still wall climbing though.

Picture 4:
This is his current setup, I have kept the deep, hilly substrate and hides. I have "planted" some fresh herbs for him to forage and provide a bit of enrichment. He is still wall climbing and flipping over and I've read that it could be his viv is too small. I've ordered another viv which will arrive Tuesday which is 5 foot by 3 foot I believe. I plan to waterproof the viv using sticky back vinyl and sealant (how I do my amphibians) so that I don't need to worry about the humidity. I plan on arranging it the same as how it is now with the substrate and hills but I've ordered some grass seed to give him something to forage and also split the terrain a little bit. I'm going to add a moist hide too. I've also ordered a load of live plants (edible) and I'm going to swap them with the fake I currently have in there. And also a load of rocks. I'm hoping the larger space along with the hills, grass and rocks will give him more of a chance of either stopping with the wall climbing or at least offering him some leverage to flip himself back over.

Is there anything else you think I could add to help with the flipping over? Or anything I've missed that I need to add or change? He's currently feeding on tortoise pellets and hay as a staple with occasional fresh herbs, greens & cactus pad (all dusted with tortoise powder). His temperatures and humidity are all fine so I'm not worried about that. I just want the best for him. I've had him seen by a vet who gave me some wormer and identified him as a sulcata. I know he will grow and I'm equipped to deal with his size and money isn't an issue, if he needs something I'm happy to get it straight away. I just want the best for him and want him to be happy and healthy (and I want my life back. I'm a nervous wreck with his flipping!). Oh also I give him a soak every morning.

Any information or advice you can give me would be great, I'm here to learn!

Thanks!
Chloe

 

[Tom]

WOW! You've done an amazing job here. I'm so glad you found us, and that our info helped you.

Your closed chamber housing looks good and 3x5 is a good size that will last a little while.
You said temperatures are all good. What are your four temps? Warm side, cool side, basking area directly under the bulb and overnight low.

Your diet needs some work. Hay is only for large adult sulcatas. Not for babies. Tortoise pellets are usually okay as a supplemental food, but I wouldn't use those as the main diet, and it really does depend on which pellets you are talking about. There are so many different types on the market now. The main diet should be weeds, leaves, flowers and freshly sprouted tender young grasses. If these things aren't available, then grocery store greens with proper amendments added are the best way to go. More on that in the links.

Likewise with the tortoise powder. There are many powder supplements sold for tortoises. What sort of powder are you using? In most cases, you should only be adding a small amount of any powdered supplement once or twice a week.

I don't know what info you already found, so I will leave these two links with all of the most current info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello and welcome! You have an adorable baby sulcata there, it’s great you’ve made your way here and sound like you’re getting on the right track. You were definitely sold some of the wrong stuff at first.

Some off the bat advice is to ditch feeding hay for now, he won’t need that until he’s older. I’d also switch your water dish for a clay terracotta, the one you’re using can be a hazard when it comes to baby accidentally flipping.

Hopefully you’ll find this indoor housing thread I made useful, it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, a food list 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! You can of course stick with a viv for now though! This might come in handy come upgrade time though

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes some other closed chamber options

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

Lastly, this one is also really good to familiarise yourself with, 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!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
Sorry, this may be a bit long but I'm desperately seeking advice. I've got no tortoise experience at all (I keep other reptiles & amphibs). I was asked to take this baby tortoise from someone who was keeping it in a cardboard box and decided it was boring and didn't do anything. I couldn't say no after seeing the state it was living in.
I ordered a tortoise starter kit online and assumed that was everything it needed and got it set up. It came with a red heat lamp, heat mat, UV bulb and some wood shavings and of course the viv.
I got tortoise set up and realised there was no thermostat so ordered one straight away for the bulb. I'll attach pictures.

Picture 1:
How he was first set up. Having no experience I trusted this and thought he was fine. Straight away he began climbing the walls and flipping onto his back, every 5 minutes I was having to flip him back over. I knew this wasn't right so I began googling and have come across this forum. I have read so many threads and have gained lots of information so straight away began making changes.

Picture 2:
I learned about humidity and substrate and swapped out the wood chips for coco coir and added in 2 thermostat/thermometers at each end. I also learned that the red bulb was not adequate so bought the correct bulb. He was still wall climbing but also was now digging into the substrate. He was also climbing the hides and flipping over.

Picture 3:
I added deeper substrate to accommodate digging and created hills to make it a bit more exciting for him. I've removed the coconut hide because it was too small and just a flip hazard. I buried the log hide to create a different texture for him to walk across as he doesn't use it as a hide. The other end (behind the camera) there's a big Cork hide and plants arranged to create another hide. I haven't put one in the hot end because he prefers to dig holes and sleep thar end and wasn't using hides there anyway. He was still wall climbing though.

Picture 4:
This is his current setup, I have kept the deep, hilly substrate and hides. I have "planted" some fresh herbs for him to forage and provide a bit of enrichment. He is still wall climbing and flipping over and I've read that it could be his viv is too small. I've ordered another viv which will arrive Tuesday which is 5 foot by 3 foot I believe. I plan to waterproof the viv using sticky back vinyl and sealant (how I do my amphibians) so that I don't need to worry about the humidity. I plan on arranging it the same as how it is now with the substrate and hills but I've ordered some grass seed to give him something to forage and also split the terrain a little bit. I'm going to add a moist hide too. I've also ordered a load of live plants (edible) and I'm going to swap them with the fake I currently have in there. And also a load of rocks. I'm hoping the larger space along with the hills, grass and rocks will give him more of a chance of either stopping with the wall climbing or at least offering him some leverage to flip himself back over.

Is there anything else you think I could add to help with the flipping over? Or anything I've missed that I need to add or change? He's currently feeding on tortoise pellets and hay as a staple with occasional fresh herbs, greens & cactus pad (all dusted with tortoise powder). His temperatures and humidity are all fine so I'm not worried about that. I just want the best for him. I've had him seen by a vet who gave me some wormer and identified him as a sulcata. I know he will grow and I'm equipped to deal with his size and money isn't an issue, if he needs something I'm happy to get it straight away. I just want the best for him and want him to be happy and healthy (and I want my life back. I'm a nervous wreck with his flipping!). Oh also I give him a soak every morning.

Any information or advice you can give me would be great, I'm here to learn!

Thanks!
Chloe

View attachment 381272
View attachment 381273
View attachment 381278
View attachment 381283

Hello and welcome!

As Tom said, you've a great job with all improvements made and coming. One thing concerns me and, probably, you too: how do you plan to keep him in UK climate when he will reach 80 pounds (or more)? It's doable but is quite a project.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello and welcome!

As Tom said, you've a great job with all improvements made and coming. One thing concerns me and, probably, you too: how do you plan to keep him in UK climate when he will reach 80 pounds (or more)? It's doable but is quite a project.

Ahh just noticed they’re from the uk! Seesh I don’t envy them! You’re right that this is one hell of a task here!

Not impossible though and I’m sure we’ll all be happy helping to advise along the way

 

[Chlo333]

WOW! You've done an amazing job here. I'm so glad you found us, and that our info helped you.

Your closed chamber housing looks good and 3x5 is a good size that will last a little while.
You said temperatures are all good. What are your four temps? Warm side, cool side, basking area directly under the bulb and overnight low.

Your diet needs some work. Hay is only for large adult sulcatas. Not for babies. Tortoise pellets are usually okay as a supplemental food, but I wouldn't use those as the main diet, and it really does depend on which pellets you are talking about. There are so many different types on the market now. The main diet should be weeds, leaves, flowers and freshly sprouted tender young grasses. If these things aren't available, then grocery store greens with proper amendments added are the best way to go. More on that in the links.

Likewise with the tortoise powder. There are many powder supplements sold for tortoises. What sort of powder are you using? In most cases, you should only be adding a small amount of any powdered supplement once or twice a week.

I don't know what info you already found, so I will leave these two links with all of the most current info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

Hey!
Thankyou so much for raking the time to respond with all this information!

Temps:
Basking: 36-38°C
Warm: Sits between 33-35°C
Cool: 27-32°C
This varies all the time but never goes higher or lower than these temperatures. At night I turn off the basking bulb and leave the heat mat on and it sits around 27-29°C.

Regarding the hay - I've removed it. I read that it was good to get them used to it whilst small so thought that was what was done. Thank you for that information. My vet actually told me the pellets should be staple - they're Komodo Complete Holistic Tortoise Diet. Again I've taken your advice and not given any today.

Tortoise powder is Reptavite and again was told to dust every morning.

This is exactly why I wanted to ask here, I've been told no greens, fruit or most herbs/vegetables because they can cause diarrhoea. Told to stick to a dry diet of hay and pellets and fresh stuff as a "treat".

I have completely changed this. Like I say I have grass seed ready for the new viv coming tomorrow which I hope to plant and grow for natural foraging and a LOT of different edible live plants and flowers which I'll plant (and replace when destroyed ). Does this sound okay? Would you say I could plant some fresh herbs in there too?

I'll definitely have a read of those articles- I appreciate everything you've said. Thanks so much!

 

[Chlo333]

Hello and welcome! You have an adorable baby sulcata there, it’s great you’ve made your way here and sound like you’re getting on the right track. You were definitely sold some of the wrong stuff at first.

Some off the bat advice is to ditch feeding hay for now, he won’t need that until he’s older. I’d also switch your water dish for a clay terracotta, the one you’re using can be a hazard when it comes to baby accidentally flipping.

Hopefully you’ll find this indoor housing thread I made useful, it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, a food list 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! You can of course stick with a viv for now though! This might come in handy come upgrade time though

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes some other closed chamber options

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

Lastly, this one is also really good to familiarise yourself with, 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!

Hello!
Thank you so much for your detailed response!

So I've removed the hay completely, I read it was best to start them young on hay to get them used to it so I took this information. I'm actually happy he's too young for hay - it's so messy I'm ordering a terracotta pot as we speak, what a great idea! Thank you!

Thank you so much for those links! I'm definitely going to give them a thorough read tonight. There's so much conflicting information on the Internet I keep finding myself doubting what I think is right myself! So it's good that I've got some reliable links now.

Again, thank you very much for the warm welcome and all the helpful advice you've given me. I just want the best for him/her!

 

[Tom]

Hey!
Thankyou so much for raking the time to respond with all this information!

Temps:
Basking: 36-38°C
Warm: Sits between 33-35°C
Cool: 27-32°C
This varies all the time but never goes higher or lower than these temperatures. At night I turn off the basking bulb and leave the heat mat on and it sits around 27-29°C.

Regarding the hay - I've removed it. I read that it was good to get them used to it whilst small so thought that was what was done. Thank you for that information. My vet actually told me the pellets should be staple - they're Komodo Complete Holistic Tortoise Diet. Again I've taken your advice and not given any today.

Tortoise powder is Reptavite and again was told to dust every morning.

This is exactly why I wanted to ask here, I've been told no greens, fruit or most herbs/vegetables because they can cause diarrhoea. Told to stick to a dry diet of hay and pellets and fresh stuff as a "treat".

I have completely changed this. Like I say I have grass seed ready for the new viv coming tomorrow which I hope to plant and grow for natural foraging and a LOT of different edible live plants and flowers which I'll plant (and replace when destroyed ). Does this sound okay? Would you say I could plant some fresh herbs in there too?

I'll definitely have a read of those articles- I appreciate everything you've said. Thanks so much!

There is so much bad info out there and many of the sources seem so credible. I'm glad that you found us and are willing to listen. Your tortoise will reward you with good health and years of enjoyment. Your questions are welcome. We don't expect you to do things just because we said so. We are happy to explain further at any time.

You can plant grass seed, but it will be quickly eaten or trampled, and it needs very strong lighting to actually grow much beyond the early stages of sprouting. No harm in trying. Just be sure to use grass seed intended for pasture animal grazing. Don't use hardware store lawn grass type of seed. It sometimes has weird stuff in it.

Time to start planing for when this monster grows up now...

 

[Chlo333]

Hello and welcome!

As Tom said, you've a great job with all improvements made and coming. One thing concerns me and, probably, you too: how do you plan to keep him in UK climate when he will reach 80 pounds (or more)? It's doable but is quite a project.

Hey!

Okay so getting this tortoise wasn't planned which means owning a VERY large animal that needs heat was also not part of my future plans However I would never take on any animal (with or without knowledge) without being in a financial position to be able to accommodate any situations through their entire life.

I've got a little while to plan properly but I'm lucky that I own my home and the land it's on so rough ideas I've had are to have one of my paddocks converted to a fully enclosed greenhouse (like zoos have butterfly or exotic bird walk through things) and have that as his winter home and then let him out into the open paddock through the summer months (lock him away at night). Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed but that's my rough ideas so far

 

[Chlo333]

Ahh just noticed they’re from the uk! Seesh I don’t envy them! You’re right that this is one hell of a task here!

Not impossible though and I’m sure we’ll all be happy helping to advise along the way

I hope you're all prepared with some really crazy ideas I'll definitely be having a proper building constructed in a paddock. I'm actually quite excited to build hills and plant trees etc and have his own little paradise!

 

[Chlo333]

There is so much bad info out there and many of the sources seem so credible. I'm glad that you found us and are willing to listen. Your tortoise will reward you with good health and years of enjoyment. Your questions are welcome. We don't expect you to do things just because we said so. We are happy to explain further at any time.

You can plant grass seed, but it will be quickly eaten or trampled, and it needs very strong lighting to actually grow much beyond the early stages of sprouting. No harm in trying. Just be sure to use grass seed intended for pasture animal grazing. Don't use hardware store lawn grass type of seed. It sometimes has weird stuff in it.

Time to start planing for when this monster grows up now...

Oh definitely I keep second guessing myself! I've got plenty of reptile experience and I understand tortoises are a species of their own but some things I've read were seriously questionable.

But I'm so glad I've found you all, people with real life experiences who have years of information gained. Normally I'd never get an animal without thorough research but I just thought I can't make things any worse for him and can learn whilst I have him. I have amazon prime so anything I need I can have either same day or next morning which is so handy.

To be honest, right now I'm literally doing everything you say, just because you say so. Just until I learn enough information myself to be able to make my own choices and know what is good and what isn't. Once I feel confident I know my stuff I'll start taking my own advice too. But until then, please tell me what to do

I'm not sure if it's a UK thing (our grass is very different) but our grass is literally a weed and will grow in the carpet if you drop the seeds. It grows in pets hair, ears, anywhere a seed drops it will grow and it only takes around 2 days to sprout once planted. It probably will just get trampled instantly though but it's cool. He's the one stuck in a viv, if all it takes is buying new plants and grass every month to keep him happy and entertained then so be it. I'd love to have him come out and join us around the house but he's so nervous I don't want to scare or stress him

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hey!

Okay so getting this tortoise wasn't planned which means owning a VERY large animal that needs heat was also not part of my future plans However I would never take on any animal (with or without knowledge) without being in a financial position to be able to accommodate any situations through their entire life.

I've got a little while to plan properly but I'm lucky that I own my home and the land it's on so rough ideas I've had are to have one of my paddocks converted to a fully enclosed greenhouse (like zoos have butterfly or exotic bird walk through things) and have that as his winter home and then let him out into the open paddock through the summer months (lock him away at night). Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed but that's my rough ideas so far

That sounds like a good plan. This article has some ideas you might find useful: https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/climateframe.html (e.g. using UV-open plastics). Unfortunately, winter sun in UK doesn't provide enough UVB for tortoises but with proper vitamin D3 supplementation and UVB lamps in the heated box you can overcome this challenge.

 

[Chlo333]

That sounds like a good plan. This article has some ideas you might find useful: https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/climateframe.html (e.g. using UV-open plastics). Unfortunately, winter sun in UK doesn't provide enough UVB for tortoises but with proper vitamin D3 supplementation and UVB lamps in the heated box you can overcome this challenge.

Ohh thank you! Our summers are awful, I'm sure you've heard the annual British cry over the heat but yes winters are dark and dreary. I think once I've decided what I want I'll have a professional in to plan and construct. I have seen a few companies who construct habitats for zoo's so could work with them to have a nice big habitat created fit with all the lighting and fixtures

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I've got a little while to plan properly but I'm lucky that I own my home and the land it's on so rough ideas I've had are to have one of my paddocks converted to a fully enclosed greenhouse (like zoos have butterfly or exotic bird walk through things) and have that as his winter home and then let him out into the open paddock through the summer months (lock him away at night). Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed but that's my rough ideas so far

@jaizei you are good at finding things, I remember there was someone from Germany on the forum housing giant tortoises in greenhouses with soaking pools? Any change you could find a thread with photos

 

[Chlo333]

@jaizei you are good at finding things, I remember there was someone from Germany on the forum housing giant tortoises in greenhouses with soaking pools? Any change you could find a thread with photos

Oooo thank you!
I think this is the vibe I'm going to go for (not the decor just the enclosure type. Glass greenhouse style with different substrates and sunken pools with lots of different foliage. This is just a base plan, I will be swapping and changing stuff over time until I've got my final ideal idea

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Oooo thank you!
I think this is the vibe I'm going to go for (not the decor just the enclosure type. Glass greenhouse style with different substrates and sunken pools with lots of different foliage. This is just a base plan, I will be swapping and changing stuff over time until I've got my final ideal idea
View attachment 381410View attachment 381411View attachment 381412

It would be incredibly cool to see updates on this project!

 

[Chlo333]

It would be incredibly cool to see updates on this project!

I seriously cannot wait to post and get some cool ideas for it! Have a little touch of everybody's input!

 

[jaizei]

@jaizei you are good at finding things, I remember there was someone from Germany on the forum housing giant tortoises in greenhouses with soaking pools? Any change you could find a thread with photos

The only person with anything similar to that that comes to mind is @Jemo; there are pictures showing some of their set up in these threads:

I don't know how you cold weather people do it!

So it's been pretty cold here in South FL. Days getting in the mid 60's and nights in the upper 40's! The time it takes to make sure every tortoise is in its house with heating system operating is a major chore. I bring my aldabra in for the night anyway. With the weather being so cold I've only...

tortoiseforum.org

Aldabra Ramp? Possible? (for Uncle Bri)

My Aldabra is just 16 months old, but I am planning way ahead (well, considering how fast these guys grow, I only have a few years.) Over the next few years I am transforming the end of our basement for his indoor enclosure. This end of the house is directly adjacent to the back yard which...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

The only person with anything similar to that that comes to mind is @Jemo; there are pictures showing some of their set up in these threads:

I don't know how you cold weather people do it!

So it's been pretty cold here in South FL. Days getting in the mid 60's and nights in the upper 40's! The time it takes to make sure every tortoise is in its house with heating system operating is a major chore. I bring my aldabra in for the night anyway. With the weather being so cold I've only...

tortoiseforum.org

Aldabra Ramp? Possible? (for Uncle Bri)

My Aldabra is just 16 months old, but I am planning way ahead (well, considering how fast these guys grow, I only have a few years.) Over the next few years I am transforming the end of our basement for his indoor enclosure. This end of the house is directly adjacent to the back yard which...

tortoiseforum.org

Jemo was actually the one I was thinking! But yeah, my point was that big greenhouses have been done before. Thanks for finding the pictures!

 

[ryan57]

Hey!

Okay so getting this tortoise wasn't planned which means owning a VERY large animal that needs heat was also not part of my future plans However I would never take on any animal (with or without knowledge) without being in a financial position to be able to accommodate any situations through their entire life.

I've got a little while to plan properly but I'm lucky that I own my home and the land it's on so rough ideas I've had are to have one of my paddocks converted to a fully enclosed greenhouse (like zoos have butterfly or exotic bird walk through things) and have that as his winter home and then let him out into the open paddock through the summer months (lock him away at night). Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed but that's my rough ideas so far

This will be the last year for my 2yr 7mo sulcata hanging out indoors except maybe at night. He'll be probably 60lbs when he turns 3 in March. Unfortunately I've had to install a 60"x28" lift instead of stairs to the basement to get to his shower area and recently got a tractor with ATV winch on a plywood bucket attached to the front loader to get him in as the years progress. I brought in sod this year to an unfinished 24'x32' room in the basement with grow lighting - about $1500. Fortunately I have my solar inspection tomorrow between 9-11am so in a few weeks after we go live the electric won't be absolutely killing me.

Next year I'm thinking about the same thing as your greenhouse. I remember going to a salt water fish retailer that was also a nursery and took a few tips from their setup years ago. In the summer, the tent over their fish tanks (probably 80'x50') were vented for airflow and in the winter they were closed. The point is, the water was heated to 84degrees for their saltwater fish and kept the air in the "greenhouse" high 70's low 80's, humid AND warm. I'm thinking of doing the same thing when I build the foundation for the conservatory/greenhouse, large section of grass on each side, doors on each side leading to a separate yard for each tortoise and a few heated 240gallon freshwater fish tanks down the center above a heated above ground pond under the tanks. That heated water is all you need to heat the greenhouse and that mass of water also absorbs the sun when present and the heaters go off.

The main aesthetic issue for a greenhouse is the railing needed so the glass is not a danger. I'm thinking of either welding 4 gauge hog fence standing off the wall or need to consider a welding legit railing with rectangular stock. Either way it's a big project.