A Few Questions about Tortoise Tipping

[TCZaro]

Hello, I currently do not own any tortoises, but would like to learn about them before I commit to buying one. If I were to have an indoor habitat, it would have to have a smallish footprint, and to achieve this I would need two layers. What I am wondering is if there are any tips/rules I should follow when building the ramp from one floor to the next. I would not want my tortoise to fall, does this happen often? I have heard both that flipped tortoises are in danger of suffocation, and that it is OK if they flip. Help anyone?

 

[lismar79]

It is ok if they flip, most do and can sometimes right them selves but not always. They can sufficate and or over heat if they do this under a heat light. If you find them flipped you will want to turn them over slow. On a ramp I would build a hand rail or edge so they can't fall over the side of it.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

what species are you thinking about getting? i would recommend a russian tortoise, greek tortoise, or a hermanns tortoise. all 3 of those are good "starter" tortoises.

 

[TCZaro]

Thank you both for your advice. Hopefully as long as I have some type of "guard rail" on the ramp, tipping wont occur often. I plan on either getting a Russian or a Hermanns.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Russians are fabulous!
I'm making a ramp in my new table, and it'll have little 'handrail' and ribs so he can grip easily and can't tip off.