This one looks lovely, but you'll be replacing it with something much larger soon. Here is a cheaper way to accomplish the same thing. Its not pretty, but if money is an issue this way works and you can do it fast. You can replace it with something bigger an nicer at your leisure.@Tom @wellington if we get a close top vivarium, is a strip uv light ok and if so, what type do I need?
I am attaching a photo of one I found and want to get tomorrow...View attachment 377488
How to make a closed-chamber baby habitat out of a 55gal Sterilite bin
Since several folks have asked about how to make a closed chamber baby enclosure out of a 55gal Sterilite tote, here are some pics and description of how I do. This is not the most beautiful option, but since the babies will only be in here for 9-12 months, I'm okay with that. My own Russian...
![tortoiseforum.org](https://data.www.tortoiseforum.org/styles/9/styles/tortoiseforum/xenforo/icon_192.png)
If money isn't an issue and you just want the best and easiest way to go, contact MarkW84 here on the forum for a "Smart Enclosure". Everything is included and ready to go. Its the best tortoise life support system made. You can do a search here and see posts and pics from people who have them. Going with Mark's enclosures is actually cheaper than buying some other enclosure and then buying and installing all the heating and lighting yourself.
When you go to the vet, here are some common things to look out for:
Many vets want to give the tortoise a "vitamin injection". This does nothing but tax an already strained little body and is frequently fatal. Further, it is usually vitamin A and tortoises don't get vitamin A deficiency because everything they eat is packed with it. Turtles sometimes get vitamin A deficiency because they don't want to eat their greens. This is a sure sign the vet doesn't know much about tortoises.
Other vet problems might include antibiotics that aren't needed, or injectable Baytril which burns them and should not be used. One vet injected Ivermectin which is toxic to tortoises. Also, due to the renal portal system in tortoises, no injections should be given in the back legs. Be careful about all of these things.