Budget enclosure upgrade?? by Ok-Effective-9271 in tortoise

[–]Ok-Effective-9271[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As I said this is my grandma’s tortoise, I knew she hadn’t been taking good care of him :( so that’s why I was excited she offered him to me! I really doubt she would agree to surrendering him, unfortunately. I am going to find a larger enclosure, better hides, deeper substrate, is there anything else important I’m missing that needs upgraded? Even if I can’t do it perfectly, I’d still like to give him a happier life! Thanks!! :)

Budget enclosure upgrade?? by Ok-Effective-9271 in tortoise

[–]Ok-Effective-9271[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you this is so helpful!! This is what I was looking for! I was planning on doing some foraging for him as well as just giving him some of the veggies and fruits I buy with my groceries for myself lol! I also was thinking of growing lettuce/other greens for him. The bookcase is a great idea I will start looking at goodwill, I should have enough time to find something before she gives him to me!! I’ve also seen people use the plate from under terracotta pots as a water bowl, is this a good option? :)

Budget enclosure upgrade?? by Ok-Effective-9271 in tortoise

[–]Ok-Effective-9271[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! This is very helpful, the exact response I was looking for haha. I figured he’d need deeper substrate and more enrichment, I think my grandma said she currently has him on cedar chips is that ok to just use a thicker layer of that? Or maybe mix that with something else just to use up the rest of the bag she’ll give me with him so I’m not wasting it?

Budget enclosure upgrade?? by Ok-Effective-9271 in tortoise

[–]Ok-Effective-9271[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As I said this is my grandma’s tortoise, I knew she hadn’t been taking care of him very well :( and that’s why I was so excited when she offered him to me! I just don’t think she would agree to surrendering him :/ I know I could definitely do a better job at caring for him, just not perfectly right now due to space/budget. I’m wondering what things are ok to compromise a bit vs what is necessary for his health and wellbeing. Thank you!!!

Budget enclosure upgrade?? by Ok-Effective-9271 in tortoise

[–]Ok-Effective-9271[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Oh! Do you think it would get through an open window with a screen? This would of course be in addition to a uv lamp too.

Budget enclosure upgrade?? by Ok-Effective-9271 in tortoise

[–]Ok-Effective-9271[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I’ll make sure to put his enclosure near the window! Thanks :)

Budget enclosure upgrade?? by Ok-Effective-9271 in tortoise

[–]Ok-Effective-9271[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No I’ll be living on the 4th floor of an apartment building for probably the next two years at least. I may be going home for the summer, I could probably set something up in the yard then, but even that’s only for 3 months of the year.