Any ideas for an easy tortoise enclosure?

Question

Anyone know how to make an easy tortoise cage? My friend aquired one and it is in a small aquarium that is about 90+ degrees. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated, we know nothing about this guy. I just feel sorry for it in that little aquarium and want to get it out asap.

Answer 1

http://www.chelonia.org/care.htm

Would you keep a dog in an aquarium? Of course not. Aquariums are only appropriate for fish and maybe a newborn tortoise.

The person who suggested a plastic kiddy swimming pool is correct. That is one easy way to make a tortoise home. Please read the link above - they have many suggestions.

Answer 2

What you need to build depends on what you have and how large it will get. I'm about to build a new enclosure for my tortoise because he is outgrowing his aquarium. Basically we are going to make a rather large box with screen on the side and a water proof floor. If you do a search for tortoise enclosures online, you'll find a lot of plans. We are also thinking of planting grass in the enclosure so it will have a proper diet other than when we take it outside for a few hours a day. Dried hay can also be bought rather than growing grass...but fresh grass is better. (find out what you have, different species have different diets)

It's only living in an enclosure now because it is still relativly small. However the species I have will grow rather large and will have to be kept outside in a few years. (I doubt whatever kind your friend found will get that big). Despite the species...it should be given outside time as often as possible. We used paving blocks to create a little enclosure for the tortoise to roam in and sit outside to make sure nothing eats him (he's still small enough for a dog to get a hold of).

Someone mentioned using a kid's pool...that will work but you still need to make sure the tortoise stays at the right temperature (not too hot not too cold) and gets enough UV exposure. Depending on where you live this will probably mean having a place to keep it inside during the winter.

So, in order to find out what you have, either buy a book on tortoises (also might look at one on turtles in case that's what it actually is) and try to identify the species. Posting a picture of the tortoise on a reptile forum would probably be the easiest way to find out what you have. Then you'll be able to search for fact sheets on that species (they are really easy to find) and then you will know what kind of environment it needs.

Answer 3

Get a kids wading pool. You know, one of the formed plastic ones with cartoon animals all over them. They are perfect for a small tortoise that can't climb out. Get one with a lid if you want to keep the turtle outside, you can drill air holes and cover it at night so is stays warm and predators can't get in. They come in a couple of sizes and depths and are easy to clean, you just hose it off. It holds water if that is necessary, and you can "decorate" it anyway you like with AstroTurf, grass, anything really.
Or look in the news paper for an aquarium or cage someone is trying to sell on the cheap.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Rule of thumb- 100 square inches per inch of tortoise shell, and plan ahead. If your tortoise will hit 6" in the next few years, plan for 600 square inches- say 18" x 36" or so.

A simple plan I like is to take a chunk of plywood the right size, and mount it on 4 casters (for easy mobility) (oh, and make sure it easily goes through doors!)

From this foundation, you can go several routes. I like to build a second floor so I can put in a floor-level pool, run heating cables between layers, etc.

I make walls of something fairly light and easy to work with- light colored laminated board, like panelling for bathrooms, to make walls about 15" tall. A simple 1x2 or 2x2 frame supports the walls.

I like mixing my substrates. I use stone tiles for the basking and feeding areas , textured linoleum for food areas, indoor-outdoor carpet for around the pool (traction!), and sunken tubs of dirt with lots of sand and leaves for nesting.

Rig up a shelter box (for forest species I put plants that hang down over the opening), add planting if desired, maybe a drip irrigation system for plants or humidity, and a light bank and you are set!

By finding most of the stuff in building surplus centers or using recycled stuff, you can build a great cage pretty cheap!

Answer 5

I am assuming this is a land tortoise and not an aquatic turtle? Your primary concern is that you have a fluorscent light fixture that simulates the UVB rays of natural sunlight. This is vital. And the correct diet is vital. Here are some links to find out what type of turtle/tortoise you have and how to care for them.

http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/turtles/

http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/careshts.htm#Turtle

http://www.anapsid.org/mainchelonians.html

http://www.petlibrary.com/

Please do the research. Make sure it's even legal to have your tortoise; there may be fines if you are caught with an illegal one. They are relatively easy to care for if you have the proper environment. Good luck!!

Answer 6

I turned my dog run thats about 10 ft. X 6 ft. into a turtle pen by laying down some old carpet that came up the sides and ends, then covered it with about 6 in. of sand and i put in a plastic underbed storage box with rocks and gravel and water and some artificial plants and a tree limb....my hubby says if it was a bit bigger it would be a really cool place to go camping...LOL About once or twice a week I change it around a little bit to keep her stimulated and give her plenty of climbing exercises to do..she seems to really like it.

Answer 7

I would use a whole little romm such as a mud room and block it of or even a bathroom that you don't use if you use the bathroom you should tape the toilet seat down andput food and water and watever toys you can find and during the summer get a kiddie pool for it to swim in

Answer 8

kiddie pools, large rubbermaid storage containers, plastic or metal horse or cow water troughs also work well. I kept box turtles in rubbermaids for years. Troughs or rubbermaids make it east to put a board across the top and secure a light. Plus they are light to carry,move and clean plus they are cheap. I have also seen those plastic fish pond liners used they look cool. In the summer fence in a little yard area outside they love it.

Answer 9

yeah, it's called a pot of boiling water with some salt and pepper.

Answer 10

tupperwear