Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal
I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/ younger tortoises, so I’ve done my best to get some nice photos together, some of which are actually from you wonderful folks! I really hope you don’t mind if I’ve used your photo! There were too many to ask each one of you
but if there’s an issue I’m more than happy to try and reach out to one of the mods about it, so please let me know!!
Some of these set ups, if made on a much larger scale, could work great for adults too(depending on species)
*disclaimer* some of these photos may include things in the enclosures that aren’t recommended, I’ve tried to comment on them where possible to avoid confusion, but there may be some missed.
These are more to serve as a visual aid, not as strict advice for how to set up.
Please also be aware that not all of them will have the correct heating/lighting in shot, again it’s up to the reader as the keeper to apply the correct lighting, heating, plants etc to your individual species.
To learn more about specifics on what not to add into set ups, please check out this thread:
tortoiseforum.org
To learn more on heating and lighting individual species, feel free to check out the care sheets I have pinned on my profile(click my photo, then click the username, scroll down to find the links)
All that aside, let’s get into it!
DIY toppers
Babies and young growing torts need much higher humidity, it’s important to make the set up a ‘closed chamber’. These toppers are some examples on how to do that over what ever base you create.
Just be aware, the higher the covering/fame, the harder it can be keeping your heat&humidity at tortoise level, some use fans within the enclosure to combat this, however I wouldn’t personally use them for babies. Generally, the lower you can get the ceiling height the better, of course providing there’s ample room for recommended bulb distances.”
DIY closed chambers
Absolutely loved this set up when I saw it! Would just have to be sure in between those panels is sealed well for a baby.
My DIY skills could never
but they really do look great! I guess the only con is, depending on the size you do, it’s a lot of effort for a set up they’ll grow out of.
Smart enclosures/vivariums
These work brilliantly! Be aware wooden vivariums might get moisture damage if not sealed correctly! But the smart enclosures look amazing and I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.
I guess one potential con for this kind of set up, is it can be pricey, especially for something they’ll grow out of, unless done on a huge scale.
Greenhouse/ Grow tent set ups
Greenhouse style set ups can be both an efficient and a more cost effective way to set up a larger space that maintains that all important humidity.
Just be aware, the higher the covering/fame, the harder it can be keeping your heat&humidity at tortoise level, some use fans within the enclosure to combat this, however I wouldn’t personally use them for babies. Generally, the lower you can get the ceiling height the better, of course providing there’s ample room for recommended bulb distances.”
Landscape/decor inspiration
With babies it’s about finding that balance of providing enough coverage so they feel secure, but not making things feel too cluttered.
I really hope those who asked like this thread! It’s not always the easiest finding good quality photo examples but I did my best
Of course, please do feel free to add your own closed chamber photos/landscaping inspiration in general, I’d love that! They are so much fun to look through! I hope this was too
I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/ younger tortoises, so I’ve done my best to get some nice photos together, some of which are actually from you wonderful folks! I really hope you don’t mind if I’ve used your photo! There were too many to ask each one of you
but if there’s an issue I’m more than happy to try and reach out to one of the mods about it, so please let me know!!Some of these set ups, if made on a much larger scale, could work great for adults too(depending on species)
*disclaimer* some of these photos may include things in the enclosures that aren’t recommended, I’ve tried to comment on them where possible to avoid confusion, but there may be some missed.
These are more to serve as a visual aid, not as strict advice for how to set up.
Please also be aware that not all of them will have the correct heating/lighting in shot, again it’s up to the reader as the keeper to apply the correct lighting, heating, plants etc to your individual species.
To learn more about specifics on what not to add into set ups, please check out this thread:
Common keeping errors
Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...
tortoiseforum.org
To learn more on heating and lighting individual species, feel free to check out the care sheets I have pinned on my profile(click my photo, then click the username, scroll down to find the links)
All that aside, let’s get into it!
DIY toppers
Babies and young growing torts need much higher humidity, it’s important to make the set up a ‘closed chamber’. These toppers are some examples on how to do that over what ever base you create.
Just be aware, the higher the covering/fame, the harder it can be keeping your heat&humidity at tortoise level, some use fans within the enclosure to combat this, however I wouldn’t personally use them for babies. Generally, the lower you can get the ceiling height the better, of course providing there’s ample room for recommended bulb distances.”
DIY closed chambers
Absolutely loved this set up when I saw it! Would just have to be sure in between those panels is sealed well for a baby.
My DIY skills could never
but they really do look great! I guess the only con is, depending on the size you do, it’s a lot of effort for a set up they’ll grow out of.Smart enclosures/vivariums
These work brilliantly! Be aware wooden vivariums might get moisture damage if not sealed correctly! But the smart enclosures look amazing and I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.
I guess one potential con for this kind of set up, is it can be pricey, especially for something they’ll grow out of, unless done on a huge scale.
Greenhouse/ Grow tent set ups
Greenhouse style set ups can be both an efficient and a more cost effective way to set up a larger space that maintains that all important humidity.
Just be aware, the higher the covering/fame, the harder it can be keeping your heat&humidity at tortoise level, some use fans within the enclosure to combat this, however I wouldn’t personally use them for babies. Generally, the lower you can get the ceiling height the better, of course providing there’s ample room for recommended bulb distances.”
Landscape/decor inspiration
With babies it’s about finding that balance of providing enough coverage so they feel secure, but not making things feel too cluttered.
I really hope those who asked like this thread! It’s not always the easiest finding good quality photo examples but I did my best
Of course, please do feel free to add your own closed chamber photos/landscaping inspiration in general, I’d love that! They are so much fun to look through! I hope this was too
Last edited by a moderator:
) You must’ve put so much work into this, I appreciate it!! I’m definitely gonna be stealing some set up inspo 
you see in the picture below? Don’t ever leave it hanging by just the wire, this member needed more chain 
