TX Tort inside for winter

[MildredsMommy]

Okay so I will be keeping our newly adopted boy inside this winter (he is going out on sunny days all day then inside at night right now). His temp enclosure indoors is a wading pool-and he has escaped it twice now. I was thinking about using the actual floor itself for his enclosure, including the closet for his "sleeping quarters". I know just being new to us is stressful, and I dont want a too-small enclosure stressing him out even more-does anyone do the "floor enclosure" now and does it work? Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Greg T]

Wow, you have a Houdini there! My winter enclosure is a 6x8 foot spot in the garage for my adults. It only has about 12" or 14" walls, but my guys have never tried to get out. I hate holding them in such a small place, but when it gets really cold they tend to just sleep in the warm hide. I get them back outside whenever possible for some good old sunshine. I put my enclosure together yesterday because our night temps are starting to drop below 60 degrees.

Hopefully you can find a good plan to keep your guy warm and safe.

 

[ascott]

http://www.reptilechannel.com/images/turtles/tort-table-2-500.jpg

http://www.sulcata-station.org/table2.html

 

[MildredsMommy]

Wow, you have a Houdini there! My winter enclosure is a 6x8 foot spot in the garage for my adults. It only has about 12" or 14" walls, but my guys have never tried to get out. I hate holding them in such a small place, but when it gets really cold they tend to just sleep in the warm hide. I get them back outside whenever possible for some good old sunshine. I put my enclosure together yesterday because our night temps are starting to drop below 60 degrees.

Hopefully you can find a good plan to keep your guy warm and safe.

yes I was quite shocked to see him cruisin' around when I went to feed everyone-lol. I was hoping like you said, that with days out in the sunshine the inside pen wouldnt be so horrible. Its not fun to have a tortoise give you stink eye.

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http://www.reptilechannel.com/images/turtles/tort-table-2-500.jpg

http://www.sulcata-station.org/table2.html

Thanks Angela! Looks easy enough. I printed out to take home to hubby at the end of today...we will get him fixed up!

 

[Yvonne G]

I have two adult desert tortoises that I can't allow to hibernate due to health reasons. They have been in their 4'x8' box for the past 3 winters now, and they get along in that space just fine.

I wouldn't let him be on the floor. It really isn't hard to build a box. One piece of plywood for the floor and another piece cut in half for the two long side walls then another piece cut to fit the two end walls. You can reinforce the corners with 2x4's.

I would put down a tarp under the box in case of leakage so it doesn't ruin your floors. And you might need 2 lights, one on either end to keep it warm enough in there. Being on the floor is going to be a little cooler.

 

[MildredsMommy]

I have two adult desert tortoises that I can't allow to hibernate due to health reasons. They have been in their 4'x8' box for the past 3 winters now, and they get along in that space just fine.

I wouldn't let him be on the floor. It really isn't hard to build a box. One piece of plywood for the floor and another piece cut in half for the two long side walls then another piece cut to fit the two end walls. You can reinforce the corners with 2x4's.

I would put down a tarp under the box in case of leakage so it doesn't ruin your floors. And you might need 2 lights, one on either end to keep it warm enough in there. Being on the floor is going to be a little cooler.

Thank you Yvonne and I agree the box is the way to go. The one Angela showed pics of seems plenty big. Hopefully I will have pics soon!