Multilayered enclosure?

[timmy_tortoise]

Hi! I posted on here recently and got the advice to get a bigger enclosure for my tortoise. We unfortunately don't have the floor space to do this, but have had the idea to get an enclosure with an upstairs. Is this safe? And how would it work with getting the heat from the bulb to reach downstairs? Thanks

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Hi! I posted on here recently and got the advice to get a bigger enclosure for my tortoise. We unfortunately don't have the floor space to do this, but have had the idea to get an enclosure with an upstairs. Is this safe? And how would it work with getting the heat from the bulb to reach downstairs? Thanks

For what species, how large a species, and how much total space?

 

[timmy_tortoise]

For what species, how large a species, and how much total space?

He's a horsefield, 8 years old but not particularly big. It's just hypothetical at the moment so I haven't really looked into how much total space yet

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Is this safe? And how would it work with getting the heat from the bulb to reach downstairs?

It can be made safe. The ramp shouldn't be too steep. 45 degrees max is recommended. You need good barriers/fencing for the ramp and upstairs so the tortoise won't fall off.

I know this from experience, the fencing on my ramp used to be too low and my horsefield tried to climb over it all the time, and once he succeeded and fell from there. Don't know what the goal was though

For the lower level you will need proper ambient lighting to make it usable space.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

@Littleredfootbigredheart might have some examples

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

@Littleredfootbigredheart might have some examples

I do indeed! There’s some in this thread

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

As well as this one I’ve not added to it yet, I’d personally suggest a barrier on the ramp herealso this is two separate 8x3 areas, you’d only need the one and if you can provide a decent loft space you could perhaps get away with a bit smaller


Also have you considered an ‘L’ shape?

 

[timmy_tortoise]

It can be made safe. The ramp shouldn't be too steep. 45 degrees max is recommended. You need good barriers/fencing for the ramp and upstairs so the tortoise won't fall off.

I know this from experience, the fencing on my ramp used to be too low and my horsefield tried to climb over it all the time, and once he succeeded and fell from there. Don't know what the goal was though

For the lower level you will need proper ambient lighting to make it usable space.

Thanks for the help! That definitely sounds like something my tort would do too how would the ambient lighting reach both floors? Unless you mean a lamp on both floors?

 

[timmy_tortoise]

I do indeed! There’s some in this thread

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

As well as this one I’ve not added to it yet, I’d personally suggest a barrier on the ramp herealso this is two separate 8x3 areas, you’d only need the one and if you can provide a decent loft space you could perhaps get away with a bit smaller
View attachment 383564

Also have you considered an ‘L’ shape?
View attachment 383565

Thank you for your help!! Unfortunately we don't have room for anything that'll take up more floor space, including the L shape (very small house), but I'll be sure to look at your thread on multilayered enclosures

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thanks for the help! That definitely sounds like something my tort would do too how would the ambient lighting reach both floors? Unless you mean a lamp on both floors?

I don't have a second layer per say, but I do have a ramp to one of his hides and he seems to always try to figure out new ways to use the ramp

I meant that you would need separate ambient lighting for the lower level to make it usable space for the tortoise. Something like strip LEDs mounted on the ceiling of the lower level would fit a smaller space.

 

[timmy_tortoise]

I don't have a second layer per say, but I do have a ramp to one of his hides and he seems to always try to figure out new ways to use the ramp

I meant that you would need separate ambient lighting for the lower level to make it usable space for the tortoise. Something like strip LEDs mounted on the ceiling of the lower level would fit a smaller space.

Ah that makes sense, thank you!