My tortoise is still a baby and I need something bigger for it. If I were to go to home depot what would I need to come out with in order to build one. Like for example what type of wood? How thick? I need something durable. How much would it cost? I don't want to buy a $150 pre-built enclosure from a store I want to build something for cheaper. Are there any guides out there to building an enclosure? It doesn't have to be fancy. I'm fine with attaching 4 pieces of wood together. As long as it's big enough for a baby tortoise.
Looking to build a enclosure for my sulcata tortoise
- Thread starter Omar T
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I use interior/exterior plywood and regular pine or fir 2x4's for the corners. I've notice that a lot of the table building members are using a different type of paint on the wood to preserve it. Take a look at some of Tom's more recent closed chamber posts and see if he mentions the type of paint he's now using.
In fact, Will, my tortoise partner recently built a night box and you can use the same concept for a tort table. I think he mentions what kind of paint he used too. Let me see if I can link it for you...here it is:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/live-naked-people.126107/
You'll have to wade through a bunch of other posts, but he eventually gives you step-by-step on how he builds the box.
In fact, Will, my tortoise partner recently built a night box and you can use the same concept for a tort table. I think he mentions what kind of paint he used too. Let me see if I can link it for you...here it is:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/live-naked-people.126107/
You'll have to wade through a bunch of other posts, but he eventually gives you step-by-step on how he builds the box.
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An old bookshelf with the shelves removed and laid on it's back is an easy way to go. You can paint or line it with a shower curtain. Then just cover the top with plexi glass.
B
One piece of 4 x 8 x 3/4 inch plywood is all you need to build a 4x4 box with 12 inch walls, with no top. 3/4 inch plywood is thick enough where you wont need any framing, either nail or screw it together. A nice piece of 3/4 inch will probably be a little over $30. most big box stores will cut it for you.
Sorry for the late reply. I was thinking outdoors but currently I have it indoors in my room. I think it would be better if it were outdoors though, but I don't know. What's better?
Wow that's actually really impressive.
Thanks I will look into it. Sure seems more reasonable than those expensive enclosures people sell.
Baby sulcatas need warm temps and high humidity. You won't be able to provide that in an open table unless the whole room is warm and humid all year long. You will need to build a large closed chamber like this:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
Or like this one. Just ignore all the heating and experiment stuff and check out the box.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/2015-growth-experiment.119874/
This might help you understand what you are after:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
Or like this one. Just ignore all the heating and experiment stuff and check out the box.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/2015-growth-experiment.119874/
This might help you understand what you are after:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
That could work, but you still need a viewing area and doors to get in, right?
You could do that and then cover it with plexiglass or clear plastic sheeting.
