Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I see all the posts of outdoor enclosures but rite now thats not an option for me. I would like to build a better enclosure for my group and was looking for ideas from you guys. Like should I use a huge 300 gallon stock tank or construct something, any comments and pics would be nice.

Thanks Keith

You did not mention how many turtles you have: this would influence how much (minimum) space you'd require.

Based on personal experience, creating an indoor setup is more expensive that building an outdoor pen in the long run. Space is *never* adequate, lighting and heating add up, electricity adds up too, maintaining humidity is a challenge, cleaning is a pain, and the vet bills that might arise from screwing up on basic husbandry can be exorbitant.

The 4'x 8' indoor 'infirmary' I had initially cost us as much to put together as the 25'x 30' outdoor enclosure we built, and that didn't include operating costs.

In my book I describe a wonderful "bookshelf" habitat that was designed by Sandy Barnett of MATTS. The book is on sale at Amazon and most Petcos can order it for you. It would be worth getting if you are looking for ideals on indoor housing.

I would not use a big tank as they would be dangerous to move around and clean. A large wooden box on wheels would be better. The inside of the box can be lined with thick plastic to keep it waterproof so you can add bedidng, water, etc.
-----
Tess Cook
www.boxturtlesite.info

When I moved from Florida to Alabama during the middle of the winter last year, I had to do make-shift indoor pens for my tortoises and box turtles. For the box turtles, I used a children's pool, not the smallest one, but the next size up. Cost maybe $12 at Wal-Mart. For bedding, I used topsoil with a layer of mulch on top. I wasn't trying to breed them, but looking back, it seems to me that the pool could be ideal for breeding, depending on the size of the group.
-----
Hold my breath as I wish for death. Oh please god wake me!