Russian Ramp

[NamedNut]

I tried doing some TFO searching but didn't feel I could find a direct answer to some of my questions regarding ramps intended for Russian tortoises. I apologize if I'm an idiot and completely over looked already hashed out and agreed upon solutions.

Situation: I am in the design phase of a new 6'L x 2.5'W table for my Russian tortoise. I'm unable to go with a larger foot print so I want to add a second level (same dimensions). I'll be building a ramp from one level to the other.

Question 1) What is a good rise over run ratio for a ramp intended for a Russian? (I drew it as 4" of rise per 1' of run, but I'm questioning if that's too steep.)

Question 2) What is a good surface substrate on a ramp intended for a Russian? (I was considering turf (fake grass) on the ramp only.)

Question 3) What is a good/safe sidewall height on a ramp intended for a Russian? (I was thinking 6".)

Question 4) What is a good width for a ramp intended for a Russian? (I was thinking 8".)

Thank you advance!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I tried doing some TFO searching but didn't feel I could find a direct answer to some of my questions regarding ramps intended for Russian tortoises. I apologize if I'm an idiot and completely over looked already hashed out and agreed upon solutions.

Situation: I am in the design phase of a new 6'L x 2.5'W table for my Russian tortoise. I'm unable to go with a larger foot print so I want to add a second level (same dimensions). I'll be building a ramp from one level to the other.

Question 1) What is a good rise over run ratio for a ramp intended for a Russian? (I drew it as 4" of rise per 1' of run, but I'm questioning if that's too steep.)

Question 2) What is a good surface substrate on a ramp intended for a Russian? (I was considering turf (fake grass) on the ramp only.)

Question 3) What is a good/safe sidewall height on a ramp intended for a Russian? (I was thinking 6".)

Question 4) What is a good width for a ramp intended for a Russian? (I was thinking 8".)

Thank you advance!

Great questions! Some things I’d be interested on hearting more from members about, this is my personal take.

1. Id need someone better at diy than me to answer ideally, but I’d probably personally go not higher than a 40° incline

2. I’d personally be worry about him potentially trying to eat the grass, I’d maybe go for something like this instead, it’ll definitely help keep his claws filed too!

3&4. Your measurements sound pretty good to me!

 

[NamedNut]

Great questions! Some things I’d be interested on hearting more from members about, this is my personal take.

1. Id need someone better at diy than me to answer ideally, but I’d probably personally go not higher than a 40° incline

2. I’d personally be worry about him potentially trying to eat the grass, I’d maybe go for something like this instead, it’ll definitely help keep his claws filed too!
View attachment 387614
3&4. Your measurements sound pretty good to me!

Thanks Little!

If I'm mathin' correctly I think what I drew is about an 18 degree incline.

Solid point about potentially trying to eat the grass. I like the idea of the grip tape you posted and benefit of claw filing. I wonder if there would be any concern of it damaging his plastron.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Question 3) What is a good/safe sidewall height on a ramp intended for a Russian? (I was thinking 6".)

I think Tom has recommended two tortoises tall. I interpreted this as being two tortoises standing on hind legs.

Question 4) What is a good width for a ramp intended for a Russian? (I was thinking 8".)

You want it to be wide enough so your tortoise can turn around comfortably.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks Little!

If I'm mathin' correctly I think what I drew is about an 18 degree incline.

Solid point about potentially trying to eat the grass. I like the idea of the grip tape you posted and benefit of claw filing. I wonder if there would be any concern of it damaging his plastron.

Sounds good! Yeah I guess it does depend how he carriers himself, perhaps some wooden planks in place to help him grip instead? Kind of like this but without the tape and closer together

Or maybe better, some sort of rubber grip?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I personally don't have any grip on mine, just the rough wood surface, but it is hard to clean of course. Not sure if a grip would be better.

 

[NamedNut]

I think Tom has recommended two tortoises tall. I interpreted this as being two tortoises standing on hind legs.

You want it to be wide enough so your tortoise can turn around comfortably.

Thank you!

 

[NamedNut]

Sounds good! Yeah I guess it does depend how he carriers himself, perhaps some wooden planks in place to help him grip instead? Kind of like this but without the tape and closer together
View attachment 387615
Or maybe better, some sort of rubber grip?
View attachment 387616

I think both are viable options! Thank you.

 

[NamedNut]

I personally don't have any grip on mine, just the rough wood surface, but it is hard to clean of course. Not sure if a grip would be better.

What slope/degree is your ramp? Bonus points if you have a photo.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

What slope/degree is your ramp? Bonus points if you have a photo.

I build the ramp myself. This is an older photo, I later added twine in between the sticks. Off the top of my head I think the ramp was 52 cm long and the second story is 15 cm of the ground. So that is only 17 degrees?

 

[NamedNut]

View attachment 387617
I build the ramp myself. This is an older photo, I later added twine in between the sticks. Off the top of my head I think the ramp was 52 cm long and the second story is 15 cm of the ground. So that is only 17 degrees?

How do you find the tortoise handles the ramp? That appears to be around the same incline that I’ve sketched out. I really appreciate the photo!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

How do you find the tortoise handles the ramp? That appears to be around the same incline that I’ve sketched out. I really appreciate the photo!

Fairly well, he figured it out almost immediately, sometimes he even sleeps on it. The only problem was, he was trying to get through in between the sticks even though he wouldn't fit. This is why I added multiple layers of twine in between them.

Also, I currently have an ugly cardboard extra roof extending over the doorway to the humid hide, since he tried to climb over on top of the black lid.

 

[NamedNut]

Fairly well, he figured it out almost immediately, sometimes he even sleeps on it. The only problem was, he was trying to get through in between the sticks even though he wouldn't fit. This is why I added multiple layers of twine in between them.

Also, I currently have an ugly cardboard extra roof extending over the doorway to the humid hide, since he tried to climb over on top of the black lid.

Tortoises are funny like that.. always need to be where we don’t want them to be!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Tortoises are funny like that.. always need to be where we don’t want them to be!

Yeah, sometimes I feel my russian has zero survival instincts. I mean he flipped over trying to get on the black lid, I righted him and he immediately went back to try!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Fairly well, he figured it out almost immediately, sometimes he even sleeps on it. The only problem was, he was trying to get through in between the sticks even though he wouldn't fit. This is why I added multiple layers of twine in between them.

Also, I currently have an ugly cardboard extra roof extending over the doorway to the humid hide, since he tried to climb over on top of the black lid.

The thought of him sleeping on his little ramp is so cute to me

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

The thought of him sleeping on his little ramp is so cute to me

Always head upwards!

 

[NamedNut]

Always head upwards!

Is that equivalent to us passing out in a chair or on a couch. HAHA

 

[roverill]

Hi, I built a ramp for our adult Russian a few weeks back, similar size enclosure 6ft x 3ft:

It's 42" long, 8" wide, and the side barrier is 7" at its highest.
Angle of about 21 degrees.
Originally it was 30" long but had to extend by a foot as the guy wouldn't go down it (though climbing up was fine).
I glued little slats to the surface and then added this non-slip matting for grip:

He's up and down it all the time now, seems to like the log roll at the bottom too (mostly for sleeping and peeing on ).

This was the basic structure during construction - about a 31 degree angle - too steep!
Hope this helps!

 

[NamedNut]

Hi, I built a ramp for our adult Russian a few weeks back, similar size enclosure 6ft x 3ft:
View attachment 387794
It's 42" long, 8" wide, and the side barrier is 7" at its highest.
Angle of about 21 degrees.
Originally it was 30" long but had to extend by a foot as the guy wouldn't go down it (though climbing up was fine).
I glued little slats to the surface and then added this non-slip matting for grip:
View attachment 387795 View attachment 387797
View attachment 387798 He's up and down it all the time now, seems to like the log roll at the bottom too (mostly for sleeping and peeing on ).

This was the basic structure during construction - about a 31 degree angle - too steep!
View attachment 387801 Hope this helps!

Thank you so much for sharing!

Looks great to me.