Past Enclosures...

1) 40 Gallon breeder -obvious problems
2) kiddie wading pool -developed an escape tactic and kept flipping themselves over
3) a tarp with the sides up against a boarder of soda bottles -became to strong for the bottles
4) the test for the new enclosure
5) the actual new enclosure

So, after many failed enclosures I finally think I got it right. I was in home depot and got the idea when I encounted the garage shelving units, metal frame and wood shelves. I bought one that was 6 ft H x 2 ft L x 4ft W and had 5 shelves. It could be dropped down into two 3ft H x 2ft L x 4ft W units. For the test I took this and placed the two rectangular blocks next to each other and set the middle shelves at the same height. Then using 4 (4ftW x 7inH) pieces and 2 (2ftW x 7inH) pieces of ¾ in partical board I created a 8ft x 2ft enclosure (**All wood from here on in is ¾ in partical board**) I placed linoleum (sp?) On the actual shelves and hot glued it into place. This has worked great for my tortoises and thus I found the basis for my new enclosure, But the designing was far from over.

Eventually I decided on creating a 2 level enclosure, the second level 15in above the first. I bought another shelving unit and thus have 4 of the rectangular blocks with 10 shelving pieces. Now this may be difficult to picture but follow the best you can. (think arial view) I took two of the rectangular blocks and placed them next to each other vertically creating a 4ftx4ft square. Then I took another rectangular block and placed it at the top left side of the square (2ft at the square extending 4ft away from it) I then did the same with the other rectangular block but in the bottom corner of the right side. If you are picturing this right it should now look something like a right angle symbol from geometry. Since it is two floors, the obvious necessity is the ramp. The best place I decided would be to have it start in the square of the second floor and extend down into the rectangle that is positioned in the top left corner. I made the ramp 3.5ft X 2ft and it will be attached with hinges to the second story. Now the design flaw is that once the torts get to the bottom floor, they cant get around the ramp to access the rest of the enclosure. I solved this by taking a 4ft x 2ft board and cutting it down the diagonal creating two identical triangles. I then placed it in the corner created by the rectangle extended vertically out of the square and the remaining half of the square at the top. To be consistent I decided I would do this on the second floor as well (since I already had the second triangular board). Now I wanted to make sure that this enclosure was a draft free as possible so I decided to leave only the front secion open (to a degree). (Now lets think looking at it from the side) the back of the enclosure is composed of 4 (4ftWx15inH) and 4 (2ftWx15inH) sections, making the back completely airtight. Then on the small sides at the end of the 2 extending rectangles I also made them airtight with 4 (2ftWx15inH) pieces. For the front I wanted to leave it open so that I could easily reach into the cage and have air circulate. I made all the pieces 7 in tall thus leaving 8in of open space. (7in seems to be good and the torts dont try and get out at all. I used 4 (4ftWx7inH), 2 (2ftWx7inH), and 2 (54inWx7inH) pieces. The 54 in is the distance of the hypotenuse of the triangles that were cut. To ensure safety I used a 2ft square to block the side of the ramp to where it connects with the second floor (the other side is against the wall of the back of the enclosure). Since it is two feet it extends above the second floor and also blocks them from falling off the edge around the ramp opening. I used another 2ftx7in board to finish blocking this gap off. All in all the enclosure is the best one I have been able to design, expecially for the price. ($150.00) Each unit was $55 dollars and the additional wood was $40. The enclosure also has the added benefit of being rearranged into many different set ups. I can easily make it into a 8ftL x 4ftW x 3ftH rectangle with two floors, or a 6ftLx4ftWx3ftH rectangle with a 2ftLx4ftWx4ftH rectangle extending off and the triangles connecting if wanted. The best part is that if I were top change it into being set that way I would not need any additional wood, its all there. Plus the enclosure can hold A LOT of weight, and also had a top on it (I currently have my tv, surround sound and book case on top of the 8ftx2ft section im using plus the torts) As soon as I have it put together I will make sure to post pictures. I am going to put lineolum (sp?) Thoughout the enclosure, and will screw the wood together (although it does work without having to do this) Its also realatively easy to set the lights up so I think it will be a perminent part of my life. Also, If I decide not to use the top I could raise the second story up a bit and cut holes for plant trays on the seond story, but the first story easily has room to have the holes cut if u want them. I can aslo set up just a part of it outside and cover the top with mesh instead for a easy sun-enclosure. Soon I hope to construct the outdoor enclosure. This enclosure should be well used by my torts during the winter months, and I made it so that they will have a easy time turning around, and will end up setting it up as the large rectangle when the torts become larger. So thats it

Hope you enjoyed reading.
I'll make sure to post pics as soon as its up.
Anyone have any suggestions? Let me know

Reguards,
Rick Grape