Tortoise table? Help! Lots of questions

[TuluhlaTheTortoise]

I have a Russian tortoise. She is fairly big but I'm not sure if she's an adult yet. I want to build her a table. I have a few questions, first what wood is cheep and safe to use while still looks good , I know pine is no good, also is it ok to paint the outside while leaving the inside the wood, next, should I put a screen over the top or just hang lights from the wall? Also can it have a "L" shape for a corner? Is a second story a good idea? Should it have a "box" on the end instead of a hide? If you could answer these questions that would be great! Not super urgent but I appreciate your responses!!

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Hi, how large is she? Females reach sexual maturity at around 6-7 inches.
Pine is fine. I'm using it now, and I know some other people who are too. It's cedar that you have to watch out for. Paint on the outside is fine, but I would think on the inside you tort might scratch it off. Also if, you were wondering for health purposes, if you pained the inside, you would just to let it air out a few days. A lot of people (like me ) like to put something water resistant on the bottom in the water spills, for misting, and just to keep the bottom clean. Shower curtains work, but a thicker type of plastic is better because she might scratch it when digging. I have a metal top. I'm in the process of building a new one, and I'm making the lid out of small bunny fencing lol. Yes, I don't see why not. russians are good climbers and it could work well. Double layers are great at saving space too, because it's can still be super big, but it a compacted way! It really be any shape, I think a triangle would be cool (for corners and stuff) But mine isn't in a corner The thing is the size. Russains need a lot of wander soace, so an adult female can easily need a 6x4 space to live. I have a box on my current (soon to be old yay) table and my russian never used it! He sleeps elsewhere instead. Like in his food bowl. His water bowl. Average places You can plant live plants in there to help raise humidity and oxygenate the air (and of course, as a snack) but some plants can't take the heat, and wilt. I have plants in mine, in pots, because my russian killed them all when just had them planted into the soil
Coco coir is a great choice if your looking to improve your dirt too!
http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm
Tom's threads on tortoise care are really great
We love pics too

 

[TuluhlaTheTortoise]

Hi, how large is she? Females reach sexual maturity at around 6-7 inches.
Pine is fine. I'm using it now, and I know some other people who are too. It's cedar that you have to watch out for. Paint on the outside is fine, but I would think on the inside you tort might scratch it off. Also if, you were wondering for health purposes, if you pained the inside, you would just to let it air out a few days. A lot of people (like me ) like to put something water resistant on the bottom in the water spills, for misting, and just to keep the bottom clean. Shower curtains work, but a thicker type of plastic is better because she might scratch it when digging. I have a metal top. I'm in the process of building a new one, and I'm making the lid out of small bunny fencing lol. Yes, I don't see why not. russians are good climbers and it could work well. Double layers are great at saving space too, because it's can still be super big, but it a compacted way! It really be any shape, I think a triangle would be cool (for corners and stuff) But mine isn't in a corner The thing is the size. Russains need a lot of wander soace, so an adult female can easily need a 6x4 space to live. I have a box on my current (soon to be old yay) table and my russian never used it! He sleeps elsewhere instead. Like in his food bowl. His water bowl. Average places You can plant live plants in there to help raise humidity and oxygenate the air (and of course, as a snack) but some plants can't take the heat, and wilt. I have plants in mine, in pots, because my russian killed them all when just had them planted into the soil
Coco coir is a great choice if your looking to improve your dirt too!
http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm
Tom's threads on tortoise care are really great
We love pics too

Ok thanks a ton, for a Corner could it go out 4' to 4 1/2 feet on each wall then slant for a smooth wall in the front so it was a triangle like you said, would that be big enough? Thanks again pal!

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

That's nice and big! It would allow for plenty wander rooom.

 

[TuluhlaTheTortoise]

Ok, we'll I actually drew up a disign and it's an "L" with one side 4 feet the other five feet then 2 feet wide and I'll put a upstairs on the 4 foot side, thanks for all you help I'm going to seal the bottom and paint the outside and put shelves under it so it looks like proper furniture, I'll post a pic when it's all done in the future! That's so much, ( the pic is of her on a little stroll)

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Wow, she is great looking gal! Judging by her size in the pic, she is over 6''? That's sounds like an amazing size. I'm kind of jealous hehehe! There is a great enclosure section, if you have any future questions about your table/lights! Lots of stand ideas

 

[TuluhlaTheTortoise]

Thanks a whole ton, I didn't measure her but the pet store told me she was a juvenile and I dobe leave they were wrong! I would love to see your setup if your willing to show me!

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Sure! I can take pictures of his outdoor too! I'm working on a larger table with a loft for him! I have a compacted space, so the loft will be so nice for him. Yes, it seems they don't really know what they're talking about!

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Outside yard sides
Indise burrow, corners
Can't wait until his new table is done

 

[Magilla504]

Hi there , I have a 7x4 ft table built on a 4x4 and 2x4 frame.The walls are about 16 inches.I used a half inch sheet of pine board(untreated of course) I screwed the corners together using a small strip of wood. I built in hide boxes on each corner so my torts have options. Also, incase of the need to seperate, a divider that I can slide down the middle. On top I used 2x4s to hang my lights on. The 2x4s were built in an L shape and then mounted to the back( they almost span from front to back so I can move the lights around if necessary. Clay water catch plates work well as water dishes(sold at Walmart or hardware stores) about 2 bucks. Same for food dishes. I decorated with fake plants. My current and best substrate is organic peat moss mixed with coconut coir. I always top with cypress to prevent the water from getting dirty . My humidity holds at 70 since it's in my basement. Mine also go outside during the day time in a 20 by 15 ft enclosure. Hope this helps! Message me if you would have anymore questions . Check out the pics I included

 

[Melanie S.]

I've been looking into marine paint, the kind to paint boats. Several people on the forum have suggested that in other threads that I've read.

 

[Yvonne G]

This is a very old thread.