Tortoise table

[maddiemccc]

Where can I find a tortoise table/enclosure? I am not a builder. And cannot find any suitable enclosure for my tortoise.

 

[wellington]

For what knd of tortoise? Tables are not really favored as they do not hold in heat or humidity and tortoises need humidity.

 

[maddiemccc]

For what knd of tortoise? Tables are not really favored as they do not hold in heat or humidity and tortoises need humidity.

Russian. And what kind of cage should I get for him then? The one he has now is too small!

 

[wellington]

Is this just for winter months, because if he is an adult, he should be in a large outdoor enclousre for warm months. Otherwise, a table isn't too bad for a russian, but they do need to have a fair amount of humidity. @Tom can probably offer a better idea of a type of good enclosure for an adult russian.

 

[Tom]

I like a 4x8 table with 18 to 24" high walls for an adult russian. I've never seen anything like that for sale, but it is really easy to build and not very expensive.

Maybe someone you know could help you build one?

Another Idea: Waterland Tubs makes a giant sized enclosure that is ready made. Its not 4x8, but its pretty big. Check with Pete the owner and see if he's got something you like. Here is his site and that's him in the picture. http://www.waterlandtubs.com

 

[leigti]

There are also very large tubs made by the Vision company. I saw the link on another enclosure thread.

 

[mike taylor]

Go to Tractor supply or a farm store and buy a big horse trough . Way cheaper than a water land tub .

 

[mike taylor]

Here is a picture . Fyi they also have plastic ones . The metal one you can paint the outside to make it custom for you .

 

[leigti]

The idea is floorspace not height. although Toler slides do hope to keep in the heat, and partially covering it can keep in heat and humidity. I use 150 gallon stock tank for my winter indoor enclosure and then I jerryrigged a covering using a shower curtain. it is not a "closed chamber" but it works well for an adult.this gives you a general idea. But there are people with much better carpentry skills than me that make it look nicer check out the enclosures section for some ideas. I made it partially covered because I was having difficulty keeping enough heat in during the winter, covering it let me use smaller wattage bulbs so I don't feel like I am frying the top of my tortoise and does keep the humidity in better.

 

[mike taylor]

With a Russian you don't need all the humidity . So the tanks work great .

 

[leigti]

With a Russian you don't need all the humidity . So the tanks work great .

True, the adults don't need as much. If you keep the substrate a little damp by adding water every few days that really helps. this is the first winter I tried covering it, I think I will keep doing it. But it definitely is not necessary.

 

[mini_max]

If you want wood, you can buy a book case from ikea, caulk the seams and put a layer of sealant on, and that can work nicely. IKEA also sells legs and casters that you could screw on the bottom too.

 

[mini_max]

We use the book case, and with the relatively high walls, live plants, and dumping water into the substrate regularly, the humidity stays decent. Getting a piece of plexiglass cut to the right size and hinging it on can work as a cover.

My advice is kind of heavy aesthetics because our tortoise resides in our living room

 

[mini_max]

I really like those metal troughs! @mike taylor, are those very heavy?

 

[mike taylor]

By themselves no . After you put all the stuff in them yes . So I would buy two movers dollies and put under it .

 

[HLogic]

I really like those metal troughs! @mike taylor, are those very heavy?

It wouldn't be a bad idea to put it on a creeper dolly if you need to move it often. They aren't impossibly heavy but they aren't featherweight either.

 

[leigti]

I really like those metal troughs! @mike taylor, are those very heavy?

The metal ones are nice but you might want to look into the other materials that they come in. Metal can get very warm and it could also be very cold. The plastics etc. seem to not be as variable.