Enclosures???

[CheerAngel8]

Hi tortoise forum!!!
I was wondering if a large rabbit cage would be okay. I would like to be able to roll it outside when it is warm. I thought this would be better than a aquarium because I did my research and they have bad air circulation and the tortoise would keep running into it.
Please Set Me Straight!!

 

[ShadowRancher]

It depends on what kind of tortoise you have...it is very difficult to maintain humidity in an open area. I use plastic bins as a cheaper, lighter, bigger alternative to glass aquariums and I value them because there is little airflow and I can keep the humidity high. But that's for sulcatas...what do you have?

 

[CheerAngel8]

It depends on what kind of tortoise you have...it is very difficult to maintain humidity in an open area. I use plastic bins as a cheaper, lighter, bigger alternative to glass aquariums and I value them because there is little airflow and I can keep the humidity high. But that's for sulcatas...what do you have?

I'm getting a russian, I figured be prepared before it comes home. They are desert tortoises so they don't need much humidity. I'm in so cal so I can leave it outside when the weather is nice so I thought the bars would let in sunlight.

 

[Tom]

Your other info is not correct, in my opinion. I and many other have been using aquariums for decades with no problems. In fact, I prefer them for the exact reasons "they" say they are bad. Taller sides reduces air flow. This is true and its good. I don't want the tortoises in the same cold dry air as whats in the rest of the room. I want to attempt to simulate the warm, humid conditions where my species come from. The taller sides help to maintain this. A cover or closed chamber helps even more.

About the clear sides being an issue: I've seen this same myth repeated over and over again in books and on the internet. In all my years, it has never once been a problem for a tortoise. My first chelonian was a box turtle in 1979. He lived in a glass tank the entire time I had him. I gave him away in 1989 along with his glass tank. Back in the 80's in my pet store days, all we had was banks of glass cages for all the tortoises and other reptiles. It was occasionally a problem for Chinese Water Dragons or a few other lizard species, but it was never a problem for any turtle or tortoise. When I started keeping my own tortoises in the early 90's all I ever used was glass tanks. Never a problem.

 

[wellington]

On TFO search this title Calling All Russian Owners. It will give you info on how to care for your up and coming Russian tort. Even though it is a desert tort, like my leopard, it still needs humidity. The best for enclosures are the plastic totes. You can even buy the colored ones so he can't see through. You could use the rabbit cage just for outside visits. Good luck on getting your new family member

 

[CheerAngel8]

Your other info is not correct, in my opinion. I and many other have been using aquariums for decades with no problems. In fact, I prefer them for the exact reasons "they" say they are bad. Taller sides reduces air flow. This is true and its good. I don't want the tortoises in the same cold dry air as whats in the rest of the room. I want to attempt to simulate the warm, humid conditions where my species come from. The taller sides help to maintain this. A cover or closed chamber helps even more.

About the clear sides being an issue: I've seen this same myth repeated over and over again in books and on the internet. In all my years, it has never once been a problem for a tortoise. My first chelonian was a box turtle in 1979. He lived in a glass tank the entire time I had him. I gave him away in 1989 along with his glass tank. Back in the 80's in my pet store days, all we had was banks of glass cages for all the tortoises and other reptiles. It was occasionally a problem for Chinese Water Dragons or a few other lizard species, but it was never a problem for any turtle or tortoise. When I started keeping my own tortoises in the early 90's all I ever used was glass tanks. Never a problem.

Thank you for setting me straight!!!!

 

[Tom]

Oh you are welcome. Just know that its only my views and opinions I'm sharing. I don't want you to feel like you've been "set straight". I just want to share what I have experienced in contrast to what is often re-typed "out there". Lots of people use tortoise tables and they work great for some species in some situations. I don't like them for baby sulcatas or leopards, but I think they are fine for adult russians, greeks or hermann's.

I should have added all that in my earlier post.

 

[lynnedit]

Hi tortoise forum!!!
I was wondering if a large rabbit cage would be okay. I would like to be able to roll it outside when it is warm. I thought this would be better than a aquarium because I did my research and they have bad air circulation and the tortoise would keep running into it.
Please Set Me Straight!!

A lot of people in UK use rabbit cages, especially if they have cats, etc. Putting the tort outside in warmer months is a great idea. Is this what you mean?
http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=swUST_PGK6_-iQLTg_yrDQ&ved=0CH0Q8wIwAw
The main problem with a metal or raised enclosure is that it might over heat, so you would want to make sure part is in shade (and stays that way through the afternoon). A ground enclosure, even in the sun, has the potential to allow for some burrowing to get cool. Just a thought.
In our area, you can still get the Isis Christmas Tree bins for $30 at some of the big box stores, about 50"x20" give or take, 14" high. There are rollers on one end, so fairly mobile.
An aquarium would work if it was big enough. The larger ones can be quite pricey. And some of them are narrow and high, which is awkward for setting up lighting, etc.
I have a tort table, 2 50gal rubbermaid bins attached with a doorway, and a medium land Waterland tub I scored on Craigslist. I like them all about the same.

 

[CheerAngel8]

Oh you are welcome. Just know that its only my views and opinions I'm sharing. I don't want you to feel like you've been "set straight". I just want to share what I have experienced in contrast to what is often re-typed "out there". Lots of people use tortoise tables and they work great for some species in some situations. I don't like them for baby sulcatas or leopards, but I think they are fine for adult russians, greeks or hermann's.

I should have added all that in my earlier post.

---

Hi tortoise forum!!!
I was wondering if a large rabbit cage would be okay. I would like to be able to roll it outside when it is warm. I thought this would be better than a aquarium because I did my research and they have bad air circulation and the tortoise would keep running into it.
Please Set Me Straight!!

A lot of people in UK use rabbit cages, especially if they have cats, etc. Putting the tort outside in warmer months is a great idea. Is this what you mean?
http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=swUST_PGK6_-iQLTg_yrDQ&ved=0CH0Q8wIwAw
The main problem with a metal or raised enclosure is that it might over heat, so you would want to make sure part is in shade (and stays that way through the afternoon). A ground enclosure, even in the sun, has the potential to allow for some burrowing to get cool. Just a thought.
In our area, you can still get the Isis Christmas Tree bins for $30 at some of the big box stores, about 50"x20" give or take, 14" high. There are rollers on one end, so fairly mobile.
An aquarium would work if it was big enough. The larger ones can be quite pricey. And some of them are narrow and high, which is awkward for setting up lighting, etc.
I have a tort table, 2 50gal rubbermaid bins attached with a doorway, and a medium land Waterland tub I scored on Craigslist. I like them all about the same.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3202820 this is what I mean. The other ones don't have as much room. But to get it out of the sun I will add multiple hides

 

[ascott]

I would suggest that you make sure to remove the raised grate on the floor of the enclosure so that you can then add some soil for traction right in the plastic bottom... For outside sun time this is a great thing...I do believe you would have to modify it for continuous indoor use (covering of the sides to retain heat and humidity)

I use a couple large rabbit cages out on the front porch to allow the little RFs outside time (especially during the hit and miss warm sunny days of winter) and since we have hawks, falcons, ravens, cats, chickens, peacock, guinea hens...etc on my property I have to make sure that they are in an entirely enclosed (top/sides) structure so as to help assure they do not become a snack for another critter...these cages work well for great air flow outside/direct sun...and because they are a cage (wire structure) I can attach (or lay on top of) a piece of shade material to keep a corner shaded the entire sunning event...

In the summer, I even have an old guinea pig cage that we had around and I use that for the RESs to go out on the other end of the porch so they get natural sun as well....this allows me to let them be outdoors for the suns benefits and still keep them secure from the same hazards mentioned before....

Good luck with which ever you decide...

 

[Beeliz]

I haven't had any problems with my glass tank either,,my little guy see's me and never is frightened away,I actually think that being used to the room,and seeing me and others will teach him that we are his normal surroundings,,I wouldn't want to hide him away from everything and not get him used to the regular sites which is his life
also,it does keep the humidity higher and the temps regular as well,,add some real plants and you got a great turtle home