Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My wife and I have agreed to allow my son to keep a Russian tortoise. Now, my task is to build a tort table before he can get the tortoise. What is the minimum and then the recommended area in square feet I should be figuring for a single tort?

Thanks

Bob

Minimum should be 4' x 6'. They are very active, wandering tortoises. Russian's get fat easily, as they eat everything and anything all the time, so a large space to helps keep them active. Also, put plenty of large rocks (they love to climb) and substrate level line breaks as they will think the enclosure is larger and this helps keep their stress level down. Our indoor pens are 4'x 6', the outdoor ones are 6 x 8, 8 x 8, and 6 x 16.

Good luck.

I'll bet you get a ton of advice on this one. It's a highly subjective subject.
If you are only talking about a pair you can get by on 2' x 4' if you set it up right. That is providing structure that not only provides exercise but also added space. I've recently added structures to many of my enclosures using what they call Flagstone. If you are in an area where you can get slate that would be easier. Just be careful that when you make tunnels and areas where the tortoises can climb that the structure is secure. I found that the more you break up the space the more active they are and the less inclined they are to dig in a corner.
Of course, the more space you can provide the better.
Ed