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What is the proper indoor enclosure size for the common testudo(russian, hermanns, greek)? Over the years I have seen multiple recomendations for size from the good old 4x8 to the 2x3 as a minimum. But what does a tort really need? We all know the saying bigger is always better. Yet there are always limiting factors.
I am looking to make an argument for the "optimal" enclosure size for a testudo tort. When I say optimal I mean what both meets the need of the tort, and the keeper. First and foremost I will say I dont think it's a 4x8. While this is a great enclosure to have most people cant source it, move it, or fit it in their house. The only reason why this size is recommended/well known is because that's what the size of a sheet of plywood is. On the other side something like a 2x3 is simply to small. To make the proper heat gradients and fit the proper dishes in you simply need more room. Dont get me started on glass aquariums we all know the problems they can cause.
Now to be optimal we need to consider a few factors, what the tort needs (heat gradient, food and water dishes, hides, and a basking spot) but we also need to consider the reality of the keeper (space in house, availability of enclosure, and price). The torts needs are pretty simple, but I want to talk about something. Torts aren't that smart. They are goofy little guys who cant exactly assign value to things. By this I mean they dont assign value to space the same as we do. Provide the same food and care to two different tortoises in two drastically different size enclosures. Say a 3x6 and a 4x16 foot. And the one in the larger enclosure isnt exactly going to brag to his friends about his big house. They dont care. Of course more space provides more opportunity for enrichment but we cant all exactly make an entire guest bedroom into an enclosure.
For the keeper it needs to be realistic. We all see the individuals who keep the torts in small glass aquariums and cringe. Yet this is a common problem because it's simply availible. What else can they use. You cant exactly go to walmart and buy a tort enclosure. That being said you actually can go to walmart online and buy a zoomed tort enclosure for a little over 100 bucks. But the zoomed enclosure isnt much better. It's simply too small and to exspensive for what it is. But it brings up something that is also a factor to look into. Open table top or closed chambers?
Closed chambers get a bad rap for being dangerous. The thing is they are... if done incorrectly. They keep the heat and humidity inside but at night if the heat drops dramatically and the humidity stays high well... bad things can happen. Yet tort tables are almost just as bad, they retain no heat or humidity and unless you want to heat an entire room in your house you are out of luck. In my opinion closed chambers are the way to go. You just need to make sure that you operate them correctly. To do so all you need is a che with a thermomator at night and either plenty of optional vent holes or a partially removable acrylic face for both viewing and to let heat out when needed.
In my opinion, the best enclosure for a testudo is a 4x4x2 closed chamber with both a basking and a che and a removable partially acrylic face for eassy access and venting on hot days. I believe 4x4 is large enough for hides,dishes,basking spot etc with enough left over room to roam. I chose a 4x4 instead of say a longer 3x6 for one major reason. Availability. To make say a 3x6 yourself you would need atleast 3 sheets of plywood. And the cost would be simulare to a 4x8. While a 4x4x2 you only need two sheets of plywood and for the fram it would only take 5 2x4s. All of which can be purchased and cut at a local store like lowes and home depot. If you dont have the proper tools to assemble the enclosure you can also rent these tools at said stores. But one problem arises, wood and moist dirt dont mix. So what do you do? Pond liners and tarps are good options, but I have used industrial grade/thick painters plastic for years with no issues. I simply use a 1x2 board and bolt it to the wall to hold up the plastic and wola. Semi permanent water proof lining that can remove all the dirt at once. This plastic can also be bought at lowes or home depot.
There are multiple other odds and ends that go into a tortoise enclosure (lights, dishes, basking rock, hides) but I wanted to make this post to start a debate before pricing and making a how to guide on it. I estimate entire enclosure to cost around 200 when all said and done with lights,substrate etc. Let me know your thoughts and counter ideas. Note I am looking to make a guide so just disagreeing with me with no solution is very unhelpful.
I am looking to make an argument for the "optimal" enclosure size for a testudo tort. When I say optimal I mean what both meets the need of the tort, and the keeper. First and foremost I will say I dont think it's a 4x8. While this is a great enclosure to have most people cant source it, move it, or fit it in their house. The only reason why this size is recommended/well known is because that's what the size of a sheet of plywood is. On the other side something like a 2x3 is simply to small. To make the proper heat gradients and fit the proper dishes in you simply need more room. Dont get me started on glass aquariums we all know the problems they can cause.
Now to be optimal we need to consider a few factors, what the tort needs (heat gradient, food and water dishes, hides, and a basking spot) but we also need to consider the reality of the keeper (space in house, availability of enclosure, and price). The torts needs are pretty simple, but I want to talk about something. Torts aren't that smart. They are goofy little guys who cant exactly assign value to things. By this I mean they dont assign value to space the same as we do. Provide the same food and care to two different tortoises in two drastically different size enclosures. Say a 3x6 and a 4x16 foot. And the one in the larger enclosure isnt exactly going to brag to his friends about his big house. They dont care. Of course more space provides more opportunity for enrichment but we cant all exactly make an entire guest bedroom into an enclosure.
For the keeper it needs to be realistic. We all see the individuals who keep the torts in small glass aquariums and cringe. Yet this is a common problem because it's simply availible. What else can they use. You cant exactly go to walmart and buy a tort enclosure. That being said you actually can go to walmart online and buy a zoomed tort enclosure for a little over 100 bucks. But the zoomed enclosure isnt much better. It's simply too small and to exspensive for what it is. But it brings up something that is also a factor to look into. Open table top or closed chambers?
Closed chambers get a bad rap for being dangerous. The thing is they are... if done incorrectly. They keep the heat and humidity inside but at night if the heat drops dramatically and the humidity stays high well... bad things can happen. Yet tort tables are almost just as bad, they retain no heat or humidity and unless you want to heat an entire room in your house you are out of luck. In my opinion closed chambers are the way to go. You just need to make sure that you operate them correctly. To do so all you need is a che with a thermomator at night and either plenty of optional vent holes or a partially removable acrylic face for both viewing and to let heat out when needed.
In my opinion, the best enclosure for a testudo is a 4x4x2 closed chamber with both a basking and a che and a removable partially acrylic face for eassy access and venting on hot days. I believe 4x4 is large enough for hides,dishes,basking spot etc with enough left over room to roam. I chose a 4x4 instead of say a longer 3x6 for one major reason. Availability. To make say a 3x6 yourself you would need atleast 3 sheets of plywood. And the cost would be simulare to a 4x8. While a 4x4x2 you only need two sheets of plywood and for the fram it would only take 5 2x4s. All of which can be purchased and cut at a local store like lowes and home depot. If you dont have the proper tools to assemble the enclosure you can also rent these tools at said stores. But one problem arises, wood and moist dirt dont mix. So what do you do? Pond liners and tarps are good options, but I have used industrial grade/thick painters plastic for years with no issues. I simply use a 1x2 board and bolt it to the wall to hold up the plastic and wola. Semi permanent water proof lining that can remove all the dirt at once. This plastic can also be bought at lowes or home depot.
There are multiple other odds and ends that go into a tortoise enclosure (lights, dishes, basking rock, hides) but I wanted to make this post to start a debate before pricing and making a how to guide on it. I estimate entire enclosure to cost around 200 when all said and done with lights,substrate etc. Let me know your thoughts and counter ideas. Note I am looking to make a guide so just disagreeing with me with no solution is very unhelpful.