Hello everyone this is my first post, this forum has tons of information and I think I am finally ready to build a proper indoor enclosure for my new tortoise. I discovered after some research here that the reason my tortoise is climbing the walls is because he is not happy with his enclosure so here I am.
Honu is a baby leopard tortoise who gets to go outside everyday (so far) and inside at night. He/she is currently kept in a large concrete mixing tub that I have filled with regular potting soil, coconut substrate(eco earth), and vitasand, as well as some plants. I recently added the sand because I was worried the eco earth was making it too moist. In the new enclosure I don't plan on using any sand to avoid impaction and hope to have it enclosed rather than keeping it open as it is now. I have a mini zoo med heating mat I plan to incorporate under a hide, as well as a ceramic heat emitter and 18" uvb fixture.
(Day: 85-100+, 10-30% humidity, Night: Low 70, <50% humidity) <---Are these conditions okay?
I have attached two designs, both very rough drafts but the dimensions and shape are what Im hoping to do. Im unsure whether to add windows since I have read that they will pace back and forth since they can see through it however others have said that they eventually understand that there is a barrier there and stop pacing.
The longest portion of the enclosure will be 4' and widest 3' 6". I'm hoping this will be big enough for Honu and maybe another baby leopard until he/she is able to live outside more permanently. Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Also today I went inside for a minute and came back out to find Honu was next to some dog poop : /
I think I stopped him/her just after the first bite so hopefully its not enough to cause sickness. (triple checking next time to make sure no dog poop present)
Honu is a baby leopard tortoise who gets to go outside everyday (so far) and inside at night. He/she is currently kept in a large concrete mixing tub that I have filled with regular potting soil, coconut substrate(eco earth), and vitasand, as well as some plants. I recently added the sand because I was worried the eco earth was making it too moist. In the new enclosure I don't plan on using any sand to avoid impaction and hope to have it enclosed rather than keeping it open as it is now. I have a mini zoo med heating mat I plan to incorporate under a hide, as well as a ceramic heat emitter and 18" uvb fixture.
(Day: 85-100+, 10-30% humidity, Night: Low 70, <50% humidity) <---Are these conditions okay?
I have attached two designs, both very rough drafts but the dimensions and shape are what Im hoping to do. Im unsure whether to add windows since I have read that they will pace back and forth since they can see through it however others have said that they eventually understand that there is a barrier there and stop pacing.
The longest portion of the enclosure will be 4' and widest 3' 6". I'm hoping this will be big enough for Honu and maybe another baby leopard until he/she is able to live outside more permanently. Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Also today I went inside for a minute and came back out to find Honu was next to some dog poop : /
I think I stopped him/her just after the first bite so hopefully its not enough to cause sickness. (triple checking next time to make sure no dog poop present)
