Tortoise enclosure
It is important for owner to provide proper and comfortable enclosure to his pet in order to make them feel secure. Almost every pet tortoise requires enclosure to stay in. Make sure that the enclosure you provide to tortoise is spacious enough so that they can spend their day comfortably their. They are a land animal and mostly like to have outdoor enclosure to stay in. you can provide indoor enclosure to small tortoise such as Russian and Greek tortoise. But make sure that the tank you provide to them is big in size. Large tortoise such as sulcata and leopard tortoise require outdoor enclosure.
The enclosure of tortoise must have direct access to sunlight. UVB rays of sunlight produce vitamin D in the skin of the tortoise therefore it is essential for owner to provide such enclosure to tortoise which has direct access to sunlight. Outdoor enclosure will provide high amount of sunlight to tortoise. There are many things that one should consider while purchasing or building enclosure for pet tortoise.
1. Size of tortoise enclosure: The enclosure of per average sized tortoise should be at least 10 square meters so that they can stay their comfortably. It should be large in size and must contain hiding places in it as they love to hide and play in the enclosure. It should be deep enough so that they can dig.
2. Safety in tortoise enclosure: Safety and security of tortoise are important things that every owner should consider while building and purchasing enclosure for their tortoise. Make sure that the enclosure you provide to your tortoise is escape proof. You can cover the enclosure of your tortoise with fences to prevent the escape of tortoise. The enclosure should be large enough so that the tortoise can enjoy their stay. If you are keeping your tortoise outdoor then make sure that it is safe from pesticides, predators and other unwanted elements. You can put a wire top over the enclosure to restrict the entry of predators in the enclosure. If you have pond in the tortoise enclosure area then cover it with fence in order to prevent the tortoise from falling in. The indoor enclosure should be covered properly in order to prevent the escape of tortoise.
3. Lighting in tortoise enclosure: It is important to provide artificial basking and lighting in the tortoise enclosure. You should use ceramic light holder instead of plastic holder because UVB lights usually become hot during the use.
4. Plants in tortoise enclosure: You can decorate your tortoise enclosure with plants and stones. Plants that you can keep in your tortoise enclosure are plantain, hawksbeard, clover, dead nettle, dandelion, mallow and honeysuckle. Ensure that your tortoise enclosure doesn’t contain any poisonous plant.
It is important for owner to maintain cleanliness in their pet’s enclosure in order opt prevent it form diseases. The base of tortoise enclosures should be covered with the proper material. Different species of tortoise require different base in their enclosure.