Building an Enclosure for a Baby Redfoot

Anyfoot

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Nov 24, 2014
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6,309
Location (City and/or State)
UK Sheffield
Thank you! I do need to modify the upper ramp. He had trouble climbing up because it's a bit too slick with the wood sealant, even with the sand in it. So I'll probably glue some rubber strips to it or something.The temps are rising from the low 80s at the moment. I think it's taking a bit of time for the substrate to fully warm up. Otherwise, he's a bit nervous but is tromping around and exploring. He already found some hiding spots he likes.

Here are a few more shots of the two basking areas, equipment, and a super secret undercover tortoise.

View attachment 156328View attachment 156329View attachment 156330View attachment 156331View attachment 156332
On my ramps I just stapled sandpaper to the ramps. Excellent traction, and also good for the nails. Just replace when it wears away. Just a thought.
Now here's the devious side of my mind. I considered building a ramp(indoors)to nowhere, well to the wall, Out of slate and just on the verge of being to steep for my adults to climb. Then put s strawberry at the top. I was going to name it "the clawinator". Exercise and nail(claw) trimmer in one. My missis said it was too cruel. :D:D:D
 

Rutibegga

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5 Year Member
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Jul 18, 2015
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429
Location (City and/or State)
Philadelphia, PA
On my ramps I just stapled sandpaper to the ramps. Excellent traction, and also good for the nails. Just replace when it wears away. Just a thought.
Now here's the devious side of my mind. I considered building a ramp(indoors)to nowhere, well to the wall, Out of slate and just on the verge of being to steep for my adults to climb. Then put s strawberry at the top. I was going to name it "the clawinator". Exercise and nail(claw) trimmer in one. My missis said it was too cruel. :D:D:D

Troggy's ramp is just on the verge of being too steep. We just watched his tenuous climb back to the 2nd level and felt a little bad about it. He also hasn't gone to the first level on his own--probably because it's so steep. It's like a sandpaper sliding board.
 

Michelle D

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Joined
Oct 9, 2015
Messages
79
Troggy's ramp is just on the verge of being too steep. We just watched his tenuous climb back to the 2nd level and felt a little bad about it. He also hasn't gone to the first level on his own--probably because it's so steep. It's like a sandpaper sliding board.
Thank you! I do need to modify the upper ramp. He had trouble climbing up because it's a bit too slick with the wood sealant, even with the sand in it. So I'll probably glue some rubber strips to it or something.The temps are rising from the low 80s at the moment. I think it's taking a bit of time for the substrate to fully warm up. Otherwise, he's a bit nervous but is tromping around and exploring. He already found some hiding spots he likes.

Here are a few more shots of the two basking areas, equipment, and a super secret undercover tortoise.

View attachment 156328View attachment 156329View attachment 156330View attachment 156331View attachment 156332
That happened to our top ramp as well. During the building of it we tested it out with Spike and it looked too difficult for her so we had to modify.
Can you tell me what substrate you used? And also where did you purchase the temp/humidity gauge? Did you notice if the foam on top and bottom are helping? Did you think the rock walls in the earlier build helped temp retention at all? I haven't added any foam yet. Did you buy the foam at a hardware store? Also what kind of floresent stip lighting do you have? Do they provide heat or mainly light for plants?
 

LemmyBites

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Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Messages
34
That happened to our top ramp as well. During the building of it we tested it out with Spike and it looked too difficult for her so we had to modify.
Can you tell me what substrate you used? And also where did you purchase the temp/humidity gauge? Did you notice if the foam on top and bottom are helping? Did you think the rock walls in the earlier build helped temp retention at all? I haven't added any foam yet. Did you buy the foam at a hardware store? Also what kind of floresent stip lighting do you have? Do they provide heat or mainly light for plants?

The substrate is coco coir with sphagnum moss on top.

The gauge is from Home Depot, cost $10 or so.

The foam insulation seems to be working well. We haven't had any problems maintaining heat or humidity at all. I don't know if the rock walls helped much. I think foam on the top and bottom is better.

Foam came in a pack from the hardware store. Just regular insulating rigid foam.

The lights are T8 and T12 shop lights with aquarium/plant bulbs in them. They don't produce much heat at all, they're mostly for the plants and so we can see better.

Good luck with your build!
 

Michelle D

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Joined
Oct 9, 2015
Messages
79
The substrate is coco coir with sphagnum moss on top.

The gauge is from Home Depot, cost $10 or so.

The foam insulation seems to be working well. We haven't had any problems maintaining heat or humidity at all. I don't know if the rock walls helped much. I think foam on the top and bottom is better.

Foam came in a pack from the hardware store. Just regular insulating rigid foam.

The lights are T8 and T12 shop lights with aquarium/plant bulbs in them. They don't produce much heat at all, they're mostly for the plants and so we can see better.

Good luck with your build!
THANKS! You've been so helpful!! Your build is beautiful! You are gifted!
 

jwr0201

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Joined
Jun 4, 2021
Messages
53
Location (City and/or State)
Sarasota, FL
I've read somewhere that it's best if the tortoise cannot see the outside through any clear material because they will try to go through it and it will stress them out. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.
  • No need to fog or cover the glass. That is an old myth, and it indicates you've been reading the old wrong info. This is part of Tom (The Dog Trainer)'s response to a previous like inquiry.
 

Torkoal#1

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Joined
Mar 12, 2022
Messages
99
Location (City and/or State)
Dadeville
We added some coco coir substrate (need more), plants, a ramp, and a wall to prevent the little guy from tumbling. The wall is made of branches and is well secured with wood glue and several dozen wooden dowels drilled through the pieces and into the plywood. Plants so far include lamium, mondo grass, and small hostas. I'm hoping to add moss or another trailing plant the wood wall.

We also added lighting. We've got two T8 lights for the plants and a MVB on the top basking area. Now we need to add enough coco and sphagnum moss to plant the plants! Also a hide for the back corner. Temp is 82 this morning and humidity is at 85% on the bottom level.

20150802_092647.jpg
How did this setup work. Any of the ramp or exposed wood was it sealed with something clear or just kiln dryed and it lasted
 
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