Terry' indoor playpen

[Efiles2014]

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

you should increase the size as soon as you can. also moisten up the substrate a bit so the humidity stays high.

 

[leigti]

Definitely bigger than what you had. So that is good. I would use some coconut coir or cypress mulch for the substrate so that you can keep it moist. The mercury vapor bulb should point straight down girl and not at an angle because that shortens the bulbs life. You can get a light stand that works really well.

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm so glad to see that you're thinking of your tortoise's welfare, and not just having a "display" tortoise in your living room. That's a real nice indoor play pen for him. I have a suggestion about your lights. If those are Mercury Vapor Bulbs, you are shortening their lifespan by having them shine at an angle. They are supposed to hang straight down. Also, regardless of what kind of bulb they are, you get more heat out of them when you hang them straight down. Plus, you're using a plain Bakelite fixture. Those type of lights should be in a ceramic-base fixture. They get too hot for the Bakelite. Here's a link to a picture showing a couple of home made light stands I made. Simple and easy:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...s-of-your-homemade-light-stand-hanger.108893/

 

[Tom]

That looks like a great way to give him some indoor space for the day during inclement weather.

Your tortoise will be ready to move outside full time this spring. Here are some heated night box ideas for you to peruse. Hopefully this will give you some ideas for building your own.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/daisys-new-enclosure.28662/

 

[Efiles2014]

That looks like a great way to give him some indoor space for the day during inclement weather.

Your tortoise will be ready to move outside full time this spring. Here are some heated night box ideas for you to peruse. Hopefully this will give you some ideas for building your own.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/daisys-new-enclosure.28662/

Move him outside full time at 2 years? I have an area we used this summer during the day but not do sure about night time

 

[leigti]

You can get even fancier and throw in some plants.

 

[Efiles2014]

Definitely bigger than what you had. So that is good. I would use some coconut coir or cypress mulch for the substrate so that you can keep it moist. The mercury vapor bulb should point straight down girl and not at an angle because that shortens the bulbs life. You can get a light stand that works really well.

This is cypress thanks for the tip on the bulbs. Some one on here cypress

You can get even fancier and throw in some plants.

lol he loved pansies but I can't throw them in fast enough to keep up with him

 

[leigti]

This is cypress thanks for the tip on the bulbs. Some one on here cypress

lol he loved pansies but I can't throw them in fast enough to keep up with him

Sorry, I couldn't tell what it was. Cypress mulch is good. keep those plants coming and body, it's good for them cool you can put some in pots up higher so it provides a little "trade" but the tortoise can't eat them.

 

[Tom]

Move him outside full time at 2 years? I have an area we used this summer during the day but not do sure about night time

Yes. I go by size, not age. At 8-10" I move mine outside full time in spring. Tis is usually around 1.5 to 2 years old. They are just to big to be cramped in a little enclosure indoors. They need more room to move. There is no harm in you continuing to bring him indoors at night or during inclement weather, but with a box like the ones I linked above, you won't need to bring him inside. My climate is pretty similar to yours, but I think you get more humidity over there. Temperatures are pretty similar.

I'd let him burrow in summer time.