- Joined
- May 6, 2011
- Messages
- 147
I know that outdoor enclosures in sunny weather are best however for indoors I use a tortoise table and I have read on here that some people use vivariums and would just like to know out of interest why really! Has there been any other research other than what Tortoise Trust has done and found different results? Also on the tortoise trust usually if anyone posts saying they use a vivarium for their tortoises they are told straight away to get rid of the tank and to make a tort table and on this forum it doesn't seem to be the same. (Not that I've read so far anyway!) Are people too polite to say get rid of the vivarium or do people on here think vivariums are alright?
On tortoise trust it says:
The first thing to point out is that as a general rule, tortoises of all kinds are not well-suited to indoor, vivarium-style maintenance. If you want an animal that will be happy, and do well, in a vivarium environment – don’t get a tortoise. Get a gecko or other small lizard.
Reasons why:
Poor ventilation. There is a high incidence of tortoises developing ‘Runny Nose Syndrome’, other respiratory diseases, and shell infections if kept in small fully enclosed type glass or wooden vivarium-style housing. Specifically, the lack of ventilation can result in mould, fungus and similar problems arising. There are ways to improve this situation, including forced-air ventilation, but this does add to complexity and cost.
Lack of temperature gradients. A small enclosed vivarium is likely to be unsuitable for any species that requires a temperature gradient, or differential, to enable self-selection of body temperature. Failure to provide this will have very serious long-term consequences for health. Again, this can be overcome if very large units are employed.
Lack of microclimates. All but the very largest ‘tank’ systems will have inadequate space and temperature gradients (see above) to permit the tortoise to self-select a suitable microclimate. Again, this has important consequences for long-term health and in addition such deprivation will result in unavoidable stress
Lack of “interest†and boredom. Tortoises that are kept in small enclosed "tanks" tend to exhibit lethargy (inactivity) and other unnatural behaviour patterns. By contrast, tortoises in suitable outdoor enclosures, or suitably large and well-designed indoor enclosures, will be much more alert and active.
Hygiene. Enclosed vivarium-style enclosures tend to be difficult to maintain, and pathogens can build up rapidly. This is one of the reasons we see so many sick animals that have a history of being kept in such accommodation.
Cost. Vivarium and glass “fish tank†enclosures are extremely costly per square inch of usable space for a tortoise. Tortoises only need sides that are high enough to prevent escape. Fish tanks in particular are designed to provide maximum cubic capacity, not maximum floor area (which is what really matters to a tortoise). Spend the available budget creating as much FLOOR AREA as possible. Don't waste it on other things.
P.S one thing I've always been told is that tortoises get stressed because of the glass is see through, they think they can walk through it so this makes them stressed and unhappy.
Here is a report on vivariums by tortoise trust:
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/vivreport.html
Does anyone disagree with what the tortoise trust says? what are your opinions.
Sorry if this has been discussed already!
Thanks!
On tortoise trust it says:
The first thing to point out is that as a general rule, tortoises of all kinds are not well-suited to indoor, vivarium-style maintenance. If you want an animal that will be happy, and do well, in a vivarium environment – don’t get a tortoise. Get a gecko or other small lizard.
Reasons why:
Poor ventilation. There is a high incidence of tortoises developing ‘Runny Nose Syndrome’, other respiratory diseases, and shell infections if kept in small fully enclosed type glass or wooden vivarium-style housing. Specifically, the lack of ventilation can result in mould, fungus and similar problems arising. There are ways to improve this situation, including forced-air ventilation, but this does add to complexity and cost.
Lack of temperature gradients. A small enclosed vivarium is likely to be unsuitable for any species that requires a temperature gradient, or differential, to enable self-selection of body temperature. Failure to provide this will have very serious long-term consequences for health. Again, this can be overcome if very large units are employed.
Lack of microclimates. All but the very largest ‘tank’ systems will have inadequate space and temperature gradients (see above) to permit the tortoise to self-select a suitable microclimate. Again, this has important consequences for long-term health and in addition such deprivation will result in unavoidable stress
Lack of “interest†and boredom. Tortoises that are kept in small enclosed "tanks" tend to exhibit lethargy (inactivity) and other unnatural behaviour patterns. By contrast, tortoises in suitable outdoor enclosures, or suitably large and well-designed indoor enclosures, will be much more alert and active.
Hygiene. Enclosed vivarium-style enclosures tend to be difficult to maintain, and pathogens can build up rapidly. This is one of the reasons we see so many sick animals that have a history of being kept in such accommodation.
Cost. Vivarium and glass “fish tank†enclosures are extremely costly per square inch of usable space for a tortoise. Tortoises only need sides that are high enough to prevent escape. Fish tanks in particular are designed to provide maximum cubic capacity, not maximum floor area (which is what really matters to a tortoise). Spend the available budget creating as much FLOOR AREA as possible. Don't waste it on other things.
P.S one thing I've always been told is that tortoises get stressed because of the glass is see through, they think they can walk through it so this makes them stressed and unhappy.
Here is a report on vivariums by tortoise trust:
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/vivreport.html
Does anyone disagree with what the tortoise trust says? what are your opinions.
Sorry if this has been discussed already!
Thanks!
