Boredom?

[Meggers]

Um well my Russian has a 3 by 3 1/2 ft house indoor and when it gets cold won't he get bored and just sleep and do nothing all winter long. Just seems Boreding :/ is there any thing I can do? If not oh well. I just thought he'd be bored.

 

[wellington]

He needs a much bigger enclosure. He will get very bored and possibly stressed in that small of an enclosure. Also, there can't be much walking or digging room with a hide, water dish and food dish. Get at the very least a 2x6 or better a 4x6 enclosure and even bigger is always better. Make it high enough sides to give enough substrate where he can burrow in if he wants. Plant plants or even fake plants and some other decorations like logs or rocks.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Barb's right...your Steppe tortoise needs more room...if you haven't much floor space, consider a 2nd story and a ramp added to his indoor enclosure. There are some pretty clever designs in the Enclosures forum.

This one, built by Robert, for his Leopard tort, is pretty straight forward, but well-designed, and your Steppe will never outgrow it:

Of course, when it's summer, he needs to be outside, in as large an enclosure (at least 8' X 4") asw possible.

 

[canadianturtsandtorts]

I have tortoise tables but they just take up too much space, but I didn't even think to go 2 storey although stackable has crossed my mind. Do they do well to go between 'floors' for drinking and eating and basking?

I realize you didn't build but curious what types are best suited

 

[Meggers]

How big is each lvl in the two lvl house? Could I just a second lvl to my 3 by 3 1/2? If so how?

 

[Jeansie1988]

Ohhh I love that enclosure!!

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I have tortoise tables but they just take up too much space, but I didn't even think to go 2 storey although stackable has crossed my mind. Do they do well to go between 'floors' for drinking and eating and basking?

I'd think they'd learn pretty quickly...put food and water and basking on the top level, sleeping area, with bottom heat, on the lower level, perhaps. That's how I'm going to rebuild my 4's inside enclosure, anyway.

I realize you didn't build but curious what types are best suited

Well, that one is for a Leopard, but I'm thinking she'll outgrow that table someday...otoh, all sizes of Europeans (Greeks, Steppes, Hermann's, Marginateds) and other small tortoises and box turtles would likely do fine in one for the winter months...outside during the summer, though.

How big is each lvl in the two lvl house? Could I just a second lvl to my 3 by 3 1/2? If so how?

Not sure of dimensions, looks like it might be just a little bigger than 3' X 3-1/2', but maybe Robert'll join in w/ details, or you might PM him.

And, yeah, adding a 2nd level is what I'd do, pretty much the way he did, in the picture.

 

[Meggers]

Are u really sure I have to do this? I just made the 3 by 3 1/2. Will he be find for just this winter? Or is it something done now? You see I'm 13 I have to save up money then have help making it. Is it life or death for him?

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Are u really sure I have to do this? I just made the 3 by 3 1/2. Will he be find for just this winter? Or is it something done now? You see I'm 13 I have to save up money then have help making it. Is it life or death for him?

Not talking life or death, but it'd be good to re-do when you can...13 is what? 8th grade? Take a woodshop class and make it a project...an easy "A" AND a nicer "crib" for your pet...win/win!

 

[Yuttt]

You also might want to make it more interesting, like adding some small hills, or timothy hay to burrow in (if you haven't already).

 

[Meggers]

Ok so more interesting. next summer making an outdoor house, so double decker will have to wait a while. I will Prevent boredom!!!!!!!!

 

[HorsefieldFriend]

How old is your tort? That size indoor enclosure should be okay untill he is 4 or 5. Give him rocks he can climb over or a ball to push around - any of the toys you can get for small animals from stores are good - mine has the sticks you can get that can be bent into a little hill for him to climb, he also has a little straw tube to explore. Be creative - think of something he could climb over or explore in and make it - even a flower pot or a small cardboard box is better than nothing.

 

[Jacqui]

Do you feed him from the same dish or spot each day? Try hiding the food so he has to look for it. Hang his food every so often from the sides, so he has to not only find it, but reach up to get it. Do you cut up his food? Try leaving it whole so he has to tear and rip. If you feed something like mulberry leaves, leave them on the branch so he has to remove them himself.

 

[Laura]

if its winter and its cold and sleeping,, that is what they do.. its not boredom, its hibernating-brumating..
if you keep the lights on and he heat on,, it wont do that.. and will stay awake and eating, and acting like a normal tort.

 

[shelloise]

Fantastic enclosure, love that the stairs have the rep carpet on them