My new expanded tort pen

[turtlejoe52210]

Thought I'd take few photos of my new russian tortoise condo I built. It's a two level home with lots of room for our wonderful tort family. Both levels are accessible via a tiered ramp on the back left corner. I have a blend of play sand and Peet moss on the bottom and chips on top. Still needs a small heat lamp on bottom though.

 

[bouaboua]

I like it. What a wonderful enclosure. !!

 

[Maro2Bear]

Really nice. Do you need a guardrail on the ramps?

 

[turtlejoe52210]

The ramp is pretty wide and at a low angle that I don't think it'll be a problem, but if it will be, I'm going to add rails.

 

[christinaland128]

I trained my not to go over the edge of the ramp. I put food at the top to encourage them up top. Then I just put my hand along the side so they didn't fall. I did this for about a week. Now they've got it. Smart lil torts.

 

[Tom]

Nice build.

Those water bowls are not safe for tortoises. A member came home to find her russian flipped upside down and drowned in one not too long ago. A terra cotta plant saucer sunk into the substrate is super cheap and much safer.

I would also recommend against the sand for safety reasons.

Looks like orchid bark on the top layer. That stuff is great all around.

 

[christinaland128]

Tom is right, try a terra cotta dish like this...

They're inexpensive too.

 

[turtlejoe52210]

Sounds like a good plan. Thanks for the advice.