Russian tortoise enclosure help.

[TheTortoiseKing]

Hi everyone! I'm looking to build a double-layer tortoise enclosure with a 6x3 ft footprint, but I have no experience with building or designing setups like this. Right now, my tortoise lives indoors in an enclosure that's about 18 sq ft, and I'm hoping to upgrade to give them more space and enrichment.


I’m not sure where to start—materials, layout, how to build a safe ramp between levels, etc. Ideally, I want to make sure both layers are usable and safe, with proper lighting and heating if needed.


Any advice, photos of similar builds, or tips for someone completely new to DIY would be super appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

For the ramp, in my experience you don't want it to be
steeper than 45 degrees. I went ahead and made mine only 17 degrees, and my tortoise got a hang of the ramp pretty quickly.

Some tips from my own ramp building experience:
1. To avoid any accidents I would make the ramp significantly wider than the tortoise itself, so wide that your tortoise can make an u-turn comfortably. I made sure of this by making my ramp wide enough for my tortoise to stand there both horizontally and vertically.
2. Use some kind of carpet or sand paper that makes the cleaning of the ramp easier and add some grip. Your tortoise will inevidably pee or poo on the ramp and if it is just wood, it is not going to be easy to get that sanitary. NOTE: avoid reptile carpet etc. , it might cause your tortoise to lose it's nails.
3. Make the ramp removable or on hinges for the ease of cleaning under the ramp.
4. Make tall enough guard rails for the ramp, don't trust your tortoises survival instincts.

You might find this thread useful: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/murray’s-build-thread-table-3-0.224491/

 

[TheTortoiseKing]

Is your tortoises enclosure double decker? If so can I see some pics?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Is your tortoises enclosure double decker? If so can I see some pics?

No, my tortoises enclosure isn't a double decker, but there is a ramp to the humid hide I DIYed.

There is a photo in post #10 in this thread:

Russian Ramp

I tried doing some TFO searching but didn't feel I could find a direct answer to some of my questions regarding ramps intended for Russian tortoises. I apologize if I'm an idiot and completely over looked already hashed out and agreed upon solutions. Situation: I am in the design phase of a new...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[TheTortoiseKing]

Thank you for the help