Hello!
My fiance and I are planning to get our first tortoise (a Hermanns), and I would love some feedback on the plans I drew up. I've been doing loads and loads of research, but I might not know something is missing or bad, you know?
Check out the attached picture.
It's 3'x8.5' total, but 1 foot on the right end will be used for housing lighting and storage, so 7.5 feet will be available to the tortoise. The area on the left will be a large hide measuring 3'x1' with an approximately 9" wide opening to enter/exit. It has a removable lid for easy access and this will be the humid hide.
In the center area to the left side will some plants (don't know what kind yet) and a 12"-ish water saucer. In front are round flat rocks set into the substrate. In the middle, a hide.
To the right side of the center, I'd like to use short pavers to create a terraced, planted area. Each step would be about 1" high. Grasses on the first level, leafy plants or flowers on the 2nd. I'll also add a ramp in one corner to allow quick/easy access the top. Any tips on what to make that out of? I was thinking wood like the table, but I don't want them to slip or anything. It wouldn't be a long fall, but if they flipped... :/ At the top is where the light would be (heat/uvb combo one)...it will sit in the compartment to the right, and shine down onto the top level.
There will also be a hinged top to keep out kitties. Was thinking probably a framed screen kinda thing...?
I was planning on organic soil for substrate since I'll be planting, but any tips?
Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated...layout suggestions, material suggestions, etc. Thanks!
My fiance and I are planning to get our first tortoise (a Hermanns), and I would love some feedback on the plans I drew up. I've been doing loads and loads of research, but I might not know something is missing or bad, you know?
Check out the attached picture.
It's 3'x8.5' total, but 1 foot on the right end will be used for housing lighting and storage, so 7.5 feet will be available to the tortoise. The area on the left will be a large hide measuring 3'x1' with an approximately 9" wide opening to enter/exit. It has a removable lid for easy access and this will be the humid hide.
In the center area to the left side will some plants (don't know what kind yet) and a 12"-ish water saucer. In front are round flat rocks set into the substrate. In the middle, a hide.
To the right side of the center, I'd like to use short pavers to create a terraced, planted area. Each step would be about 1" high. Grasses on the first level, leafy plants or flowers on the 2nd. I'll also add a ramp in one corner to allow quick/easy access the top. Any tips on what to make that out of? I was thinking wood like the table, but I don't want them to slip or anything. It wouldn't be a long fall, but if they flipped... :/ At the top is where the light would be (heat/uvb combo one)...it will sit in the compartment to the right, and shine down onto the top level.
There will also be a hinged top to keep out kitties. Was thinking probably a framed screen kinda thing...?
I was planning on organic soil for substrate since I'll be planting, but any tips?
Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated...layout suggestions, material suggestions, etc. Thanks!