Newbie with a few questions :)

[RyanTort88]

Hi guys, I'm new to this and haven't owned a tortoise before.. I've been doing my research over the last couple of weeks so I can learn everything I need to make a good home for my new little friend have a question.. I can't post pics on here but I have seen a table that is kind of fancy.. It has a bottom level an a slope leading up to a hide to add abit more room an abit more attractive on the eye, this is also space under the raised hide. Would a table like this be ok?

Thanks

[Alan1]

They are not very practical to be honest.

[JerryMaffz]

Welcome, I agree with Alan. These type of tables are not really tortoise friendly. Best to keep it on one level. Good that you are doing your research.

[sandy]

Originally Posted by RyanTort88

Hi guys, I'm new to this and haven't owned a tortoise before.. I've been doing my research over the last couple of weeks so I can learn everything I need to make a good home for my new little friend have a question.. I can't post pics on here but I have seen a table that is kind of fancy.. It has a bottom level an a slope leading up to a hide to add abit more room an abit more attractive on the eye, this is also space under the raised hide. Would a table like this be ok?

Thanks

They might look good, but. They are not tortoise friendly:0(

[CherryBrandy]

Made on a hill...as in they see new keepers coming. One level much better - think in the wild and would they have a pent house suite. One level lots of rocks, pebbles, stones , shingle, hideaways (corners are a preference mostly). Depends on what species as to requirements obviously. If you split levels you would need right UVB in both sections (See some of the UV spreads / angles). Think hygiene too, dampness on a wood base......go for practical cause attractive they may be to entice the eye but can be a cleaning and husbandry nightmare. Maybe a pretty painted old drawer with a tray inside is much nicer! more bespoke and won't clean your wallet out to boot.

[RyanTort88]

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to take your advice and get a table on one level. The species I'm looking at is the eastern Hermann, I keep popping in the pet shop to see the little guys but going to set a table up and look for a breeder on here instead of buying from a shop.

Also going to use coco coir as substrate unless anyone thinks that's a bad idea?

[Splinter]

I quite like the idea of a second level, my biggest issue would be with keeping it clean.

People mention "in the wild" a lot, but lets face it, even the best tortoise tables are nothing at all like wild tort conditions. So personally I'd rather add a bit of enrichment, than trying too hard to keep everything as "wild" as possible.

You can however add hills, slopes, hideaways, on a single "floor" using natural things anyway

[Ozric Jonathan]

I've found that my tortoises mostly try to go from A to B in a straight line and will attempt impossible routes rather than follow a road that has been laid out for them.

Although I'm still a bit rubbish at it, I believe in trying to make our own tortoise table set-ups. The main reason is you can change it as your tortoise and its needs change over time. If you buy something small and fancy it will have a very limited lifespan.

There are photos on this site of bookshelf conversions which cost just pennies to put together. Also CB put photos up for a small enclosure that was made with bits and pieces for less than the cost of a lampstand. Might be worth a look.

[Suze65]

I agree with keep it on one level, and enrichment, make it interesting with different textures eg pebbles , slate, large pieces of bark ( not chippings ) log roll etc. you can make the substrate undulate a bit. Substrate top soil or coco fibre or both. You can add suitable plants and a hide, although they don't always use a hide ! Have fun.

[sandy]

Originally Posted by Splinter

I quite like the idea of a second level, my biggest issue would be with keeping it clean.

People mention "in the wild" a lot, but lets face it, even the best tortoise tables are nothing at all like wild tort conditions. So personally I'd rather add a bit of enrichment, than trying too hard to keep everything as "wild" as possible.

You can however add hills, slopes, hideaways, on a single "floor" using natural things anyway

I don't use tables for adult tortoises, and juniors they have a greenhouse for colder times, and then hibernate. Hatchlings I did use a table for only in early Spring and late Autumn as they also were hibernated. And tables are as near to the wild as you can get. And if the correct size do well. Tortoises are not clean animals, and trying to keep tables this way, and inhibits natural behaviour:0)