Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My largest hatchling outgrew the commercial half log hide house I had in the nursery for the babies and I decided I didn't want to pay $8.00 for the next size up and I had the ceramic tile employee at my local Home Depot cut two regular clay flower pots in half so now I have 4 turtle houses for less than half of what I would pay for 1. The babies seem to love them and I'm going to get one more pot cut. This would also work for larger turtles - just get bigger pots. Mary Beth

That is a really good idea! I think I will do that for a hide in my african cichlid tank.

Here is another idea for cheap but working hides for turtles. Go to your local nick nack store for girls. You know the ones I mean... they smell like pot pouri (sp) when you walk in HAHA. Anyway, those stores usually sell lots of wicker and other wooden baskets. I found a wooden bark basket that is about 1 foot round and about 6" tall for $2.00. I just cut out a little turtle doorway on the side and turned it upside down. Viola, instant turtle house. And because it is wood bark and wicker, it looks great and he really likes it. Another benefit is it is short enough that he can climb on top of it like snoopy. Sometimes he will climb up on his hide and just inspect the backyard intently. We think he is watching for a girlfriend (or maybe just looking for strawberries (hehe).