Indoor Hides

[Christ143uk]

Hi,

I am new to the forum and looking for some advice.

We have been doing a lot of research prior to purchasing a tortoise.

I am just wondering in regards to a hide:

1) How much of the tortoise needs to fit into the hide for it to feel safe? Does the whole of the tortoise need to fit or just enough to put it's head and part of body in?

2) Do they prefer to have some foliage to bury themselves inside the hide?

3) Do they like to have space inside the hide or prefer to squeeze themselves into it and be snug?

We are thinking of using a bookcase kind of set up and having a draw as a hide.

I would welcome any advice.

Thanks in advance

 

[lismar79]

Depends on the tort for all, at least for mine. My sulcata likes his big hide he can move in. My boxie likes stuff to cover himself like foilage- leaves or moss. My russian likes her half log that she can go in and out of. For a new tort though, they will like something they can fit all in. This should help them feel safe in the new enviroment.

 

[Christ143uk]

Hi,

Thank you for the information.

It is likely to be a Hermann. It will be kept outdoors when it gets a bit older and will start off in a 4ft x 2ft table so should be plenty big enough for a decent size hide while it is young.

Thanks

 

[GingerLove]

The whole tortoise likes to be hidden. If you just buy a half a log or something, they can fit inside. My tortoise prefers to be snug, and she loves to dig! If you purchase a brick of coconut coir and soak it, it seems to work pretty well for digging and it is generally inexpensive. Don't worry about the foliage, they'll just rearrange it. Welcome to the forum!

 

[Christ143uk]

Hi,

Thank you for the advice. The hide will be plenty big enough for him/her for the time being then.

Eventually when he moves outside I will look at getting something like a half log or plant pot...maybe a hat like yours too

Thanks

 

[ZEROPILOT]

For my small tortoises I use a large flowerpot laying on it's side and half buried.
It works great and you probably already have a few flowerpots around somewhere......

 

[GingerLove]

Lol! You're right, you should get a hat with for you tortoise. It's mandatory. (My tort actually hated wearing it!) And I love the flower pot idea! My log has attracted bugs in the past, so I switched to a concrete "log" that was actually made for turtles... but a flowerpot is easier and probably less expensive!

 

[Gillian M]

I believe that the bigger the enclosure, the better. These cute little animals are used to roam around in the wild without "red lights."

Please read the "Beginners Mistakes" Thread, and post pics of your tort once you buy him/er.

Good luck!