Repurposing chameleon cage

[ariez189]

Hello everyone!

My chameleon passed and I am looking to repurpose it for a redfoot tortoise, but need some guidance. The cage is 2x2x4. My idea was to lay it down so the front door would be on the top. The wood is water sealed, but I know screen is not ideal for the sides.

I also have everything from my chameleon: fogger, T5 HO fixture 24”, Arcadia 6% UVB T5 HO bulb, grow light for plants, and dome heating light with dimmer. I also have a ceramic fixture with a blacklight bulb.

Based on these, what would I need differently for the redfoot?

I have added a picture of the cage for reference.

Thank you!

 

[Michael Bird]

2' x 4' is pretty small for a redfoot. If you want to reuse the chameleon cage, you could use it as part of the new tortoise enclosure and add more space on to it, maybe using the current door as the point where you connect the rest of the new enclosure.

 

[wellington]

That's okay for a hatchling but nothing else tortoise wise.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Redfoot need a closed chamber enclosure. Like a terrarium.
A mesh enclosure will never be satisfactory no matter the size.
The good new is that your lighting sound suitable.

 

[ariez189]

That's okay for a hatchling but nothing else tortoise wise.

My plan was to get a hatchling and then definitely upgrade the enclosure at some point.

 

[wellington]

Oh yes, I second Zeropilots post. No open mesh enclosures. Closed chamber high humidity is needed.

 

[Tom]

Hello everyone!

My chameleon passed and I am looking to repurpose it for a redfoot tortoise, but need some guidance. The cage is 2x2x4. My idea was to lay it down so the front door would be on the top. The wood is water sealed, but I know screen is not ideal for the sides.

I also have everything from my chameleon: fogger, T5 HO fixture 24”, Arcadia 6% UVB T5 HO bulb, grow light for plants, and dome heating light with dimmer. I also have a ceramic fixture with a blacklight bulb.

Based on these, what would I need differently for the redfoot?

I have added a picture of the cage for reference.

Thank you!

A tall cage made for an arboreal lizard isn't going to work well for a terrestrial tortoise. The screen is a problem as you won't be able to maintain the correct heat and humidity, and the size is only good for a small hatchling, even when the cage is laid on its side.

If you want a tortoise, (and who doesn't???), get a proper tortoise enclosure for it.

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[Yvonne G]

Hello everyone!

My chameleon passed and I am looking to repurpose it for a redfoot tortoise, but need some guidance. The cage is 2x2x4. My idea was to lay it down so the front door would be on the top. The wood is water sealed, but I know screen is not ideal for the sides.

I also have everything from my chameleon: fogger, T5 HO fixture 24”, Arcadia 6% UVB T5 HO bulb, grow light for plants, and dome heating light with dimmer. I also have a ceramic fixture with a blacklight bulb.

Based on these, what would I need differently for the redfoot?

I have added a picture of the cage for reference.

Thank you!

If the cage would allow being laid on its side it MIGHT be ok. You're looking for a larger footprint. The height doesn't give a land dweller any moving around room.