Dresser for enclosure

[stravo]

Have any of you folks done this. Turned a dresser or a piece of furniture into an enclosure for you tortoise. If so lost up some pics. I'm about to start my build today.

 

[wellington]

I haven't but yes many have here and it's a suggested idea all the time. Look in the enclosure section, you might find some pics there.

 

[lisa127]

I have. I turned it so the back became the bottom. Removed the drawers and ribs and lined it with a tarp. Easy.

 

[Tom]

Have any of you folks done this. Turned a dresser or a piece of furniture into an enclosure for you tortoise. If so lost up some pics. I'm about to start my build today.

What species and size tortoise is this for?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Many have done so and used a shower curtain liner to seal it against moisture damage.
However, it is not suitable for every species or most adult tortoises.

 

[lisa127]

ZEROPILOT and Tom are correct. I did not specify that I did this for a box turtle. Not a large tort!

 

[stravo]

What species and size tortoise is this for?

Baby redfoots. 2 of them. Dresser is 6ft long and 2 ft front to back

 

[Tom]

Baby redfoots. 2 of them. Dresser is 6ft long and 2 ft front to back

You will need to close it in somehow to maintain heat and humidity. An open table won't work. I think you'd be better off designing and building a closed chamber.

Also, your tortoises should not live together as a pair. Its a recipe for disaster. Groups are usually okay, but pairs are usually a problem.

 

[stravo]

You will need to close it in somehow to maintain heat and humidity. An open table won't work. I think you'd be better off designing and building a closed chamber.

Also, your tortoises should not live together as a pair. Its a recipe for disaster. Groups are usually okay, but pairs are usually a problem.

These 2 have been together for the past 7 months. I had 2 that lived together for 12 years that I got when I was a kid. But that being said there will be a removable partition in middle so i can make it bigger for more runninh room.dresser is completely enclosed. Solid oak whole way around. There will be enough ventilation from the one open spot bottom of dresser.

 

[stravo]

this is the finished product. Stays a constant 82° and 75% humidity. They love their heated pond. Every morning when lights come on they both go straight for the pond and wade around. I think it turned out rather nice. I started plans for the next hut when they get bigger.

 

[stravo]

I know there is a size difference but they have been together for the last 9 months with no problems. Before someone points that out.

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

This is a different take than the usual converted furniture enclosures. I personally wouldn't like the fully opaque front preventing me from seeing in, but if you have a particularly busy house then perhaps being somewhat hidden is actually preferable for the tortoises.

How are you finding the pond stays clean - can you lift the entire thing out to do water changes?

 

[stravo]

This is a different take than the usual converted furniture enclosures. I personally wouldn't like the fully opaque front preventing me from seeing in, but if you have a particularly busy house then perhaps being somewhat hidden is actually preferable for the tortoises.

How are you finding the pond stays clean - can you lift the entire thing out to do water changes?

I put a rubber grommet (boat plug) in the corner. Pull it out and drain it. I have 2 young boys that would constantly be messing with them. That's why I made the front solid and put the viewing window on the top. Tortoises seem to be happy