The size of your tortoise house will depend solely on the size of your tortoise. It sounds logical. He or she will need to exist there in some degree of comfort.There is a formula to determine this. For a tortoise of 12 inches (30 centimetres), your tortoise home would need to be at least 9 feet (2.75 meters) by 9 feet (2.75 meters) and if you are keeping more than one tortoise in the same enclosure that would need to be brought into the equation as well.
Since many people buy tortoises as babies, some research into the eventual size of the tortoise will need to be undertaken. There are variations within each species, but that should still serve as an accurate guide for the future.
The individual breed will, to some degree determine what the tortoise needs for its environment. Most tortoises love to burrow and hide. Your pet will certainly appreciate the opportunity if provided as a layer of topsoil and a bit of cover in the corners. Tortoises get stressed when their environment seems too open.
The tortoise home will need to allow some type of temperature gradient. What this means, is that there should be a slight variation in temperature in different parts of the enclosure to allow the tortoise to control its own body temperature.
This effect can be achieved by creating a basking area with the aid of a heat lamp. Another section of the enclosure, away from the heat lamp, would provide a cooler shelter.
If you have a garden, it might be a treat for both of you, if the tortoise is allowed to roam free, at least for limited periods. Do bear in mind that they can get stuck in cracks, which could cause some anguish and even damage.
An outdoor pen would be the next best thing to complete freedom, from the tortoise’s point of view. Since some of them can become regular Houdini’s, you will need to make sure that the barriers are strong enough to withstand the determination of your tortoise.
You would need to find some way of protecting your tortoise from damp ground cover if it lives outside. While some tropical species do exist in humid regions, wet grass can easily lead to a shell infection, and a costly trip to your local vet. Try to keep your tortoise on well-drained sandy soil for the best health. Provide plant cover that is edible and contributes to their diet. Provide shelter to hide and burrow within. Make sure there is some undercover shelter as this would not only protect against poor weather, but can also, if cleverly made, provide the warmer microclimate your tortoise will need to regulate its temperature.
One basic thing that you will need to have is a tortoise house if you plan to keep a tortoise as a pet. Tortoises can be really good pets however, there are a few things that should be kept in mind to raise them. The basic and perhaps the most important thing that a tortoise will need is a house or a shelter. Tortoises are the creatures who love the wild. They don’t like to live indoors. That’s the main reason why several people who have tortoises as pets keep them in outdoor pens. The outdoor pens are the best ideas to keep the tortoises as this space is closes to their natural habitat. The one thing that you should consider though is that the tortoises are safe in their shelter. You must see to it that the outdoor pens are well protected from any predators that can cause harm to the tortoises.
There are times when tortoises can be kept indoors as well. However, it is important that you make sure that the tortoise doesn’t get used to staying indoors. When it comes indoor housing options for tortoises, there are quite a few alternatives. Tortoises can be kept in glass aquariums but glass aquariums are suitable only for smaller sized tortoises. Also, the aquariums should be large enough for the tortoises to roam around and relax. Though the tortoises are lazy and slow movers, they still require large space. Many people believe that glass tanks or glass aquariums are not the best option because glass is a very delicate material. Tortoises also don’t prefer to live in transparent enclosures. Therefore, a wooden enclosure is a better option than a glass tank or a glass aquarium. Another advantage with using a wooden enclosure is that the tortoise will get enough floor space along with proper ventilation if you make a few holes in it. Plastic enclosures are also good options to be used as tortoise houses.
There are a lot of options that you can choose for your tortoise house. The basic thing is that you should be able to keep your tortoise comfortable and as close to its natural habitat as possible. The key is that the tortoise should be given enough space and keep it properly ventilated. The best tortoise house for your tortoise will be the one that best suits your tortoise.
With a little creative thinking, you could put together a wonderful and stimulating tortoise house for your new pet.