Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Would it be possible to house a Burmese Brown Mountain Tortoise indoors year round? What size of an enclosure would work for a single adult? Also, I know they require extra protein compared to leopards, etc, what are some good food items to offer that provide the extra protein? Thanks for any replies.

Well i got to hand it to you for your taste of tortoises but like the majority, they really need sunlight to aviod pyramiding and for overall good health. It might survive but why do such a thing. These tortoises grow quickly and are the 4th largest in the world. I hope you reconsider another herp to enjoy as a pet.

How about pancake tortioses. They're super cool and small!
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1.1 C. t. roseofusca
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I had actually planned on letting it outside a few times a week (supervised) during the warmer months. I live and rent in NH, so it gets cold and I can't be building sheds or anything on the property. You think that will still be insufficient? This is very disapointing haha. I've wanted a sulcata for basically as long as I can remember, but primiarliy because of the size and need to be outdoors, can't do it. Finally find another KILLER tortoise, maybe even more interesting with it's behavior and...that's a no-go. I like tortoises with some size (this is not the only thing I look for obviously), for some reason Russians just don't interest me.

So are all tortoises basically very sensitive to being without sunlight? So much so that a quality UVB bulb will not do the trick? Should all tortoises really be kept outdoors?
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1.2.1 Prehensile Tailed Skinks
1.0.0 Rhinoceros Iguana
1.0.0 Bredl's (Centralian) Python
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Indonesian Snakeneck Turtle

0.0.1 Avicularia Purpurea
0.0.1 Brachypelma Boehemi

Indian Stars indoors?
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1.2.1 Prehensile Tailed Skinks
1.0.0 Rhinoceros Iguana
1.0.0 Bredl's (Centralian) Python
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Indonesian Snakeneck Turtle

0.0.1 Avicularia Purpurea
0.0.1 Brachypelma Boehemi

I think most tortoises do best if allowed to live outside but that is not always possible. So, supervised time outdoors in the sun and having a good quality UVB bulb indoors is the best thing to do when they can't live outside.

Hi,
Do tortoises necessarily need sunlight and won't a good UVB bulb be enough? I think the answer is a yes and know. There are some good bulbs in the market today but nothing can be a substitute for the sun.

You have mentioned that the Burmese brown will be housed indoors but you haven't said what size enclosure you can afford to provide for it. Remember that the brown tortoises can grow to be 50 pounds or larger. At this size the concern is not just about an UVB source but also the size of the enclosure because without adequate exercise the animal will end up being fat and maybe even obese.

I have sulcatas, leopards, burmese brown, redfoots, pancake, russians, elongated and hermanns's and they all spend the summer months outside and in the winter they have an adequte sized heated indoor enclosure and you can see that they use every inch of it.

Yes Indian stars can be maintained indoors, for that matter any tortoise can be, as long as you have a big enough enclosure.

Michael

Thanks for the reply. I am going to pursue Pancakes now instead. Much easier to house, and still very interesting.
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1.2.1 Prehensile Tailed Skinks
1.0.0 Rhinoceros Iguana
1.0.0 Bredl's (Centralian) Python
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Indonesian Snakeneck Turtle

0.0.1 Avicularia Purpurea
0.0.1 Brachypelma Boehemi

Hey crogers, thanks for mentioning the pancakes! I've been reading up a lot on them and they are amazing! I've also read a few accounts where experienced keepers, who usually always advocate keeping all torts outdoors, will keep their pancakes inside year round (because of their shell and ability to climb around). Beautiful animals too!
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1.2.1 Prehensile Tailed Skinks
1.0.0 Rhinoceros Iguana
1.0.0 Bredl's (Centralian) Python
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Indonesian Snakeneck Turtle

0.0.1 Avicularia Purpurea
0.0.1 Brachypelma Boehemi

Unlike most tortoises, M. emys do not need a lot of sunlight/UVB - they very rarely bask in the wild - and can handle a diet higher in protein than most torts (though they be healthier with a lot of greens and little very occasional chow or pink mice). If they are getting too much protein, their marginal scutes will curl up as they grow (in juveniles).

I keep mine indoors entirely up to 2 years old, then outdoors in warm weather (>55) until about 4 years, then outside all the time with a semi-heated doghouse atnight. Once acclimated, they are fine with nighttime temps down to 45-50.

Hmm I'm getting mixed responses here. I have experience with reptiles, but am new to tortoises. I'd like to get a tort, but I need to be able to keep it indoors. But I want to make sure it will still be healthy with a uvb bulb and everything.
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1.2.1 Prehensile Tailed Skinks
1.0.0 Rhinoceros Iguana
1.0.0 Bredl's (Centralian) Python
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Indonesian Snakeneck Turtle

0.0.1 Avicularia Purpurea
0.0.1 Brachypelma Boehemi

since you keep your emys outside i have a question, we have a nice group (3.1.3 and two large females coming soon), one has been with us for 6 years and has been maintained mostly indoors. this year we are planning a very large fenced area over our septic field just for the emys. we live in the chicago area so summers can get very hot (and humid), there will be shaded areas where we are planning on having large shallow ponds, i have read that really high temps are not that great for the emys who like it cool, what has been your experience and will shaded ponds be sufficient to keep them cool? lets say upper 90's. also how are they with one another? i am letting the grass grow up out there and will be planting some taller grasses and plants to keep them from always being in sight of one another. i think i will actually divide it into two areas just to have an option. any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks john and muriel

Does the Burmese Brown Mountain Tortoise dig much, as does the Sulcata? Also, how often should an adult one be fed?
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David Leary,
Durham, NC