A tortoise table is a great way to house a smaller type of tortoise. They are open on top which allows for great airflow for your tortoise as well as great visibility for you. Their open design also make it easy to keep clean. These are instructions as to how you can build your own tortoise table that has a 3’ by 8’ (1 meter by 2.4 meters) floor, and walls that are 18” (0.4 meters) high.Supplies:
- Floor – 1 piece of ½ inch (1.2 cm) thick plywood 3’ by 8’ (1 meter by 2.4 meters)
- Long sides – 2 pieces of ½ inch (1.2 cm) thick plywood 18” by 8’ (0.4 meters by 2.4 meters)
- Short sides – 2 pieces of ½ inch (1.2 cm) thick plywood 18” by 3’1” (0.4 meters by 1 meter)
- Frame – 4 2”x4”s that are 8’ (2.4 meters) long
- Frame – 8 2”x4”s that are 2’9” (0.8 meters) long
- Corner batons – 4 2”x2”s that are 1’2” (0.35 meters) long
- Legs – 4 2’x4’s that are 18” (0.4 meters) long (You may cut these slightly longer or shorter if necessary.)
- Nails or screws
- 4 wheels (optional)
Steps:
- Use the 2”x4”s to build two frames that have an outside measurement of 3’ by 8’ (1 meter by 2.4 meters). This will be done with the 8’ (2.4 meters) pieces overlapping the 2’9” (0.8 meters) pieces.
- Attach the floor piece to one of the frames, using screws or nails. This should be flush with the frame.
- Attach the leg pieces to the bottom of the frame, on the inside of the 2”x4”s that form the frame. If you want to add wheels to your tortoise table, you may do so now.
- Stand the table up on the legs.
- Attach the sides. The bottom of the walls need to be flush with the 2”x4”s that make up the frame. The short end walls will be on the outside of the long walls.
- Add the batons to secure the corners.
- Attach the top frame around the top.
Now, you’re done. You are now able to add substrate, a heating lamp, and everything else that your tortoise will need in his or her new habitat. This is just a very basic design, and you can feel free to get more creative with it if as you are able to, as there’s not one right way to build a tortoise table.