Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do tortoises do best in an enclosure with clear walls, that they can see out of, like a tank? Or do they do best in an enclosure that they cannot see out of? Assume both are of adequate size and all other conditions meet the tortoises needs.

Thank you, Melissa.

They will do much better with solid walls. "Glass stress" is
hard on reptiles. You could have three solid sides and a glass
front as long as they had adequate hiding places inside the tank.
For people stuck with glass tanks temporarily, taping some
construction paper onto the outside three sides will work.
For new animals that can even be both long sides and a short side
so that they have minimal disturbance but can still be observed.
You don't want to make it seem like a "dungeon" but they do
appreciate the feeling of security with at least three solid sides.
Actually the best thing for turtles/tortoises is being outside
period.