Can I Keep My Tortoise in the Basement?

[2angelous7]

I'm getting a baby golden greek tortoise and I am planning everything out. In my room the only place I could put the enclosure is on my shelf, but it is only 2ft by 1.5ft... Waaaaay to small for an enclosure. So I was wondering if it is ok to keep the enclosure in the basement. The reason I am asking is because the basement is the coldest place in the house especially in the winter. But I will have a CHE and a MVB. Will that be enough for warmth? It's never freezing in the basement but I want to make sure. Thanks!

 

[Yvonne G]

You might have to cover the habitat to keep the cold basement air out of it.

 

[2angelous7]

You might have to cover the habitat to keep the cold basement air out of it.

what could I cover it with?

 

[Merrick]

Just have a higher heat light wattage should be fine lots of people do it as long as it is not permanent and when they grow to their full size you bring them to a outside enclosure
The best way to figure it out is to try it and test the heat

 

[Jodie]

You can put an enclosure anywhere as long as you can maintain the correct temperature and humidity. You obviously will need to provide UVB light. Check out the care guides for temp information.

 

[2angelous7]

Just have a higher heat light wattage should be fine lots of people do it as long as it is not permanent and when they grow to their full size you bring them to a outside enclosure
The best way to figure it out is to try it and test the heat

Thank You! Also if I make a tortoise table, what wood is best to use?

 

[Merrick]

what could I cover it with?

Plexiglass or a plastic cover their are a few threads about it

 

[Jodie]

what could I cover it with?

You will have to build a closed chamber enclosure. The enclosure section has several examples.

 

[2angelous7]

Plexiglass or a plastic cover their are a few threads about it

thanks, i will check those out

 

[2angelous7]

You will have to build a closed chamber enclosure. The enclosure section has several examples.

ok

 

[Gillian M]

A warm welcome to the forum.

If you decided to keep the tort in the basement, please make sure it is not too cold and use a UVB light.

Please read the "beginners' thread " and care sheets, which will definitely help you, and good luck!

 

[Tom]

My garage gets down into the 40s in winter. I have no problem keeping tortoises out there. I use a large closed chamber and the enclosure is well insulated. Each enclosure has two CHE's set on a thermostat, and they don't even run all that much. The heat lamps keep things plenty warm during the day.

More wattage on an open table will not be effective.

 

[2angelous7]

My garage gets down into the 40s in winter. I have no problem keeping tortoises out there. I use a large closed chamber and the enclosure is well insulated. Each enclosure has two CHE's set on a thermostat, and they don't even run all that much. The heat lamps keep things plenty warm during the day.

More wattage on an open table will not be effective.

great! Thanks for the info

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Is this your first tortoise?

Some people do fine with basements for their tortoises. These are typically animals that can spend the summer in an outdoor habitat.

If your basement is not a place you enjoy spending time in, you may want to reconsider. I've heard horror stories about tortoises that lived in basements and were neglected because the basement was out of sight & out of mind. It didn't happen right away, but it happened.

I wonder if you can rearrange your room or find or make space. Expand the shelf? What is your plan for when the baby grows and needs much more space?

It might be better to wait until you really have space to keep a tortoise.

 

[2angelous7]

Is this your first tortoise?

Some people do fine with basements for their tortoises. These are typically animals that can spend the summer in an outdoor habitat.

If your basement is not a place you enjoy spending time in, you may want to reconsider. I've heard horror stories about tortoises that lived in basements and were neglected because the basement was out of sight & out of mind. It didn't happen right away, but it happened.

I wonder if you can rearrange your room or find or make space. Expand the shelf? What is your plan for when the baby grows and needs much more space?

It might be better to wait until you really have space to keep a tortoise.

Yes this is my first tortoise. But I do go in the basement a lot, there are fun things to do down there lol. Plus I pass the basement door allll the time because it is in the hall and i pass it to get to the kitchen. I am there a lot But if I notice that I'm not going don there as much or when school starts I can TRY make space in the living room, i'll have to talk to my mom about that. She's picky about animals. When the baby grows I will make the enclosure a LOT bigger. I have a lot of empty space in the basement so I can expand as much as I want.

 

[lisa127]

I keep mine in the basement. I keep all enclosures covered with plastic sheeting. The upside is it's easier to keep humidity levels higher down there!

 

[2angelous7]

I keep mine in the basement. I keep all enclosures covered with plastic sheeting. The upside is it's easier to keep humidity levels higher down there!

good idea

 

[lisa127]

Is this your first tortoise?

Some people do fine with basements for their tortoises. These are typically animals that can spend the summer in an outdoor habitat.

If your basement is not a place you enjoy spending time in, you may want to reconsider. I've heard horror stories about tortoises that lived in basements and were neglected because the basement was out of sight & out of mind. It didn't happen right away, but it happened.

I wonder if you can rearrange your room or find or make space. Expand the shelf? What is your plan for when the baby grows and needs much more space?

It might be better to wait until you really have space to keep a tortoise.

Mine are in the basement and that has never happened. I think if you are a person who loves chelonians and cares for them that will not happen no matter where they are. If you are a person who is the type to get bored with your pets/animals and neglect them, that will happen as well no matter where you keep them.

I have found the basement to be a good place actually. Ambient climate fluctuates less plus since it is a bit more humid down there it is easier to keep up humidity levels.

 

[2angelous7]

Mine are in the basement and that has never happened. I think if you are a person who loves chelonians and cares for them that will not happen no matter where they are. If you are a person who is the type to get bored with your pets/animals and neglect them, that will happen as well no matter where you keep them.

I have found the basement to be a good place actually. Ambient climate fluctuates less plus since it is a bit more humid down there it is easier to keep up humidity levels.

ok thanks