Semi-Underground Russian Box

[Tom]

Love this one too! Would definitely love to plagiarize this one if ever needed an underground build

You can't plagiarize something that was given away freely. I posted it for the world to share. I hope to inspire others and have them also inspire me.

 

[Tanyabobanya]

Co

That's so cool! Can't wait to build one like it.

me build me one!

 

[Maro2Bear]

@Tom - I’m guessing this underground system worked well! Given the OPPRESSIVE TEMPS in the desert southwest, I’m guessing more should implement. Any updates or tweaks?

 

[Romeo Serback]

I can only imagine the rolling eyes... "Tom is at it again..."

It gets very hot here in the summertime. Every day is near 100 and sometimes its over 110. In winter, most nights are in the 30s and occasionally we dip into the 20s. For fossorial species like sulcatas, Desert Tortoises, and in this case Russians, going underground offers an ideal escape from temperature extremes.

Sooooooo, I've been mentally designing this contraption for a long time and finally got it built and installed. Its not pretty, but the entire thing was built with recycled wood and scraps from other building projects.

Here is the hole I dug for it to drop into:

Here is the box itself. Its about 21" tall and there is welded wire closing off the bottom.

Here I have filled the inside with the native dirt and topped it off with the coir that used to be in their inside enclosure. The bottom of the door is about 8" from the bottom of the box where the wire is, so they have plenty of room to dig in if they wish, but they can't go too far because of the wire on the bottom. I've attached the lid and done the weather stripping by this point too.

Here is the door/tunnel from tortoise perspective before the rain cover went on and everything is buried.

After burial:

Here is the shade/rain cover that covers the tunnel entrance to keep the rain out. This is a critical part of the whole operation for obvious reasons. When I install these things I check the level-ness of it all and make sure rain run-off will run downhill and not back into the tunnel entrance.

Here is the underside of it:

Here I have some dirt on it now:

Here is a view showing how the underground shelter sits within the rest of the enclosure:

And of course we have to show the torties using the new facilities:

Hope you enjoyed my little tour. Comments and questions welcome.

Tom, what would be the dimensions for the opening for a fully grown leopard? If I build one in Florida, I want it to be a one shot deal and to accommodate the height of its carapace and for her to be comfortable in. Also, would you suggest a PVC piping to prevent it flooding inside the hide?

 

[HarmonyC]

Hi! This is my first comment ever I just picked up a Russian a couple days ago from the middle of the road and now diving into the ton of information about habitats and care. @Tom these photos sound awesome but they’re now gone. Did you happen to post them anywhere else?

 

[Tom]

Hi! This is my first comment ever I just picked up a Russian a couple days ago from the middle of the road and now diving into the ton of information about habitats and care. @Tom these photos sound awesome but they’re now gone. Did you happen to post them anywhere else?

No. They are gone, but here is the correct care info for you:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? 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. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[HarmonyC]

No. They are gone, but here is the correct care info for you:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? 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. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Thanks so much!!! Lots to learn!

 

[covo]

I've just come across your thread finding it on another forum as recommended. The photos seem to have gone any chance they are anywhere else or can be sent? Thank you!

 

[Tom]

I've just come across your thread finding it on another forum as recommended. The photos seem to have gone any chance they are anywhere else or can be sent? Thank you!

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