New Indoor Enclosure for Russian Tortoises

[dedjer]

I spent Labor Day building a new indoor enclosure for my daughters two russian tortoises. The box is 7 1/2' by 2 1/4'. I tried to keep the width small enough to fit through doors. Just got done staining today and building a top door (2). Ill let it sit and air dry until next weekend before I move them in.

You'll notice a box in the middle which is a barrier I will use if the two start to fight. I also built some ramps that to the top of the box which will bee removable when I want them separated. The box also has a dividing wall and will serve as two hide boxes for each side.

The two pieces of wood that go across the center is for the lights. I will place doors on the outer edges with acrylic windows to keep the humidity high.









DJ.

 

[wellington]

Is this just for colder months? With outside enclosure for warm months. Also, adults don't need a high humidity, 30-50 is fine for them and young ones do fine with around 50-60. Looking nice.

 

[dedjer]

It's a year round enclosure. I live in Illinois and we have some cold nights and lots of predators animals (raccoons, hawks, oppossums, etc) so I don't keep them outside. I'm also scared someone might steal them if we house them outside. Currently, we have a 40gallon glass terrarium and (even with the glass covered with black paper) the two of them try to dig their way out. I figured it was time for a bigger space. Currently, humidity is around 20 and we spray every 4-8 hours to keep it humid. We also switched out reptibark for coco coir.

 

[mike taylor]

Don't keep Russian tortoises but the home You built them looks awesome.

Sent from my C771 using TortForum mobile app

 

[wellington]

I live in Chicago. I own a Leopard and Russian. Mine russian is outside everyday and i put him In my leopards heat shed at night. my leopard will be living litside 24/7 this year in his heated shed with outside time when he wants, even i. Winter months. Outside is really better for them. At least make them an outside enclosure for the warm summer days and bring them in at night. You can use chicken wire or hardware fencing for covering their enclosure to make it predator safe. Some people uses the plastic kiddie pools. They make a good outside enclosure that they can't dig out of. As large of one as you can get.

 

[dedjer]

Photo Update

 

[lisa127]

The enclosure looks nice!

 

[sueb4653]

looks great!

 

[dedjer]

Thanks! It just needs more stuff. I moved everything from my 40 gallon.

I'm planning on putting handles on the doors/windows to make it easier to lift up. Also, the middle will be completely covered to keep in humidity.

More pictures to come.

 

[dedjer]

Built a dividing wall and door this weekend. Have to wait 4-5 days for the stain to dry. More pics of it installed will be upload next weekend.

 

[lynnedit]

Excellent job and well thought out. You've done a great job!

 

[dedjer]

Thanks lynnedit

---

Picture of the window frame from the inside, and the middle cover with knobs. The window is made of acrylic and the middle cover was built to hold in some of the humidity and heat in the winter.




After I install the dividing wall I will get some lamps, ceramic heaters, and stands.