Setting up a Tortoise House
Setting up a Tortoise House
What to Consider Before Building a Tortoise House?
Making your first tortoise house is a bigger undertaking than many recognize! There are a number of factors to contemplate fully before you embark on building a tortoise house. You must take into account how big your enclosure or cage will need to be. Where to position it, how to heat it and clean it, how to make it secure so your tortoise cannot escape plus what you will need to place inside it to provide the best living environment for your tortoise.
Firstly, how large does your tortoise’s house need to be?
You must be aware of how large your tortoise may grow over the years. Although their growth may be slow, they do grow! They also like to explore and climb. Whilst in the wild tortoises do burrow and dig into dead leaves so you will need to consider this when planning your build. As a general rule for every 12” in size your tortoise will require 3 square yards. The average dimensions you need to take into account must also acknowledge the size your tortoise may grow to. This means if you have a tortoise of 12 inches you will need to have a home 9 ft long by 9 ft wide! This is a substantial size to prepare and build. There are many different types of cage or enclosure suitable for a tortoise house. Varying from commercially built ones, glass Vivariums and home built wooden cages or tortoise tables.
Tortoises like to hide and burrow so if you decide on an all glass Vivarium be sure to cover three of the sides to ensure the tortoise has places hide. They get very stressed if they are not allowed to hide out of site at times. If you build a wooden tortoise house, be sure to seal it with non toxic paint or it will absorb urine and waste that will harm your tortoise and you. Wire cages are not suitable for a tortoise house as the tortoise can harm themselves on the wire and also it does not hold the heat needed for the tortoise.
Make sure your tortoise house is secure. Vertical and high sided walls are best to prevent escape as a tortoise will climb if able to. Also be aware of furnishings inside the enclosure that the tortoise can use to climb over and up! The sides should be twice the height of your tortoise. For example if it is 6” long the walls need to be 12” high. More detailed information is contained in our 10 day e-Course if you subscribe and also in our new downloadable Book
