I have never owned a tort before and I plan to get a baby Red-Footed Tortoise soon. (I go to a reptile show next month.) I have been doing research on their care and have seen so many different set-ups it boggles my mind. So please offer me tips and advice if you think I need it. Especially if I am doing something wrong and bad for my tort.
So here are my enclosure options. Please help me pick.
1. 40 Gallon Tuff Stuff stock tank. This tub is: 39" long x 28" wide x 13" tall. Bottom of the tub it is: 32" long x 21" wide. This tub cost $33.
Tuff Stuff Tub by Mothi03, on Flickr
2. Unknown round tub found in my shed. I think I used this as a playpen for a parakeet I had. The diameter is 23" and is 6.5" tall. The bottom diameter is 21". Below is a picture of it along with the Ruff Stuff stock tank.
Possible Tort Tubs by Mothi03, on Flickr
3. Screen patio location. The maximum size enclosure that can be placed in the space is 7 feet long by 3 feet wide. New substrate will have to be added and a wall created.
Patio by Mothi03, on Flickr
Question: Is the saying "bigger is better" true for a baby tort enclosure if proper environment is created? Or is there the possibility of "overkill"?
Question: I was considering having 2 Tuff Stuff stock tanks. One for inside and one outside. A stand will be created for both (with wheels). One problem is the depth of substrate to bring the surface of the substrate high enough to get adequate lighting without making it easy for the tort to escape. Does this sound the most ideal of my enclosure options I posted above?
Question: Would it be bad for the baby tort to have a floor height enclosure? Or should I just wait until he is bigger to make use of the dirt/rock part of the patio? Is an elevated set-up better for a baby tort?
Question: Can I use cypress mulch (shown in first picture) in a baby cage? I also bought Mosser Lee Sphagnum Moss for the hidebox. I plan to feed on tiles and bowls to keep food items away from the substrates.
So here are my enclosure options. Please help me pick.
1. 40 Gallon Tuff Stuff stock tank. This tub is: 39" long x 28" wide x 13" tall. Bottom of the tub it is: 32" long x 21" wide. This tub cost $33.
Tuff Stuff Tub by Mothi03, on Flickr
2. Unknown round tub found in my shed. I think I used this as a playpen for a parakeet I had. The diameter is 23" and is 6.5" tall. The bottom diameter is 21". Below is a picture of it along with the Ruff Stuff stock tank.
Possible Tort Tubs by Mothi03, on Flickr
3. Screen patio location. The maximum size enclosure that can be placed in the space is 7 feet long by 3 feet wide. New substrate will have to be added and a wall created.
Patio by Mothi03, on Flickr
Question: Is the saying "bigger is better" true for a baby tort enclosure if proper environment is created? Or is there the possibility of "overkill"?
Question: I was considering having 2 Tuff Stuff stock tanks. One for inside and one outside. A stand will be created for both (with wheels). One problem is the depth of substrate to bring the surface of the substrate high enough to get adequate lighting without making it easy for the tort to escape. Does this sound the most ideal of my enclosure options I posted above?
Question: Would it be bad for the baby tort to have a floor height enclosure? Or should I just wait until he is bigger to make use of the dirt/rock part of the patio? Is an elevated set-up better for a baby tort?
Question: Can I use cypress mulch (shown in first picture) in a baby cage? I also bought Mosser Lee Sphagnum Moss for the hidebox. I plan to feed on tiles and bowls to keep food items away from the substrates.