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- WHAT IS A TORTOISE TABLE ?
A tortoise table is an open-topped enclosure that provides a light and airy environment for your pet. And since a tortoise table is a type of indoor housing, when you’re setting it up you should make sure it mimics the outdoors as much as possible.This is only a guide .
SIZE
Before you buy a tortoise table, it’s important to make sure you choose the right size. In general the size you need depends on the size of the tortoise but the bigger you can make it, the better. The sides should also be high enough that the tortoise can’t climb out.
Here are the recommended tortoise table sizes for different ages.
Under 5 years – 30 x 19 x 8 inches
Over 5 years – 40 x 19 x 8 inches or
48 x19 x8, 48 x 23 x8
But its your preference on the size you would like this is only a guide.
WHAT TO PUT IN A TORTOISE TABLE
When your tortoise first moves into its new tortoise table, we’d recommend just putting the essentials like heating, lighting and substrate in the tank.
Hides and plants can be added later once your tortoise has settled in; if you put them in too soon, it may make the settling in period stressful.
Here’s a round-up of everything you need to put in your tortoise table
HEATING
Since tortoise tables are open-topped, it is impossible to set a precise air temperature And since tortoises are cold-blooded like snakes and lizards, they need constant access to heat.
As such, your tortoise table should be kept in a room where the temperature doesn’t drop below 72-75℉ (XX- XX℃) during the day or night. When the central heating is turned off, the temperature inside most homes drops a few degrees so you’ll need to make sure that the temperature inside the room that houses your tortoise stays the same.
Many people also ask whether tortoises need a heat lamp – they do. The best way to heat your tortoise table is with a ceramic heat lamp.Put it in one corner of your tortoise table and leave it switched on 24 hours a day to provide a heat spot where your tortoise can warm itself up whenever it needs to. If your house gets too cold for a tortoise at night (like most UK homes do), you may need to leave your heat lamp switched on for longer.
THERMOMETER
You’ll need to put a thermometer at each end of the tortoise table to monitor the temperature near the basking lamp and at the cool end of the table. A thermometer like this would be perfect.
Remember to ALWAYS test the temperature from the same height as the top of the tortoise’s shell (NOT from ground level) and to take your reading from below the bulb (which is the hottest area).
LIGHTING
UV light is essential for every tortoise – regardless of its age – to provide it with vitamin D and prevent a condition called Metabolic Bone Disease. It should be switched on for 12-14 hours a day (and always turned off at night). Lots of people put their tortoise lighting on a timer so they turn on and off automatically.
When it comes to choosing lighting for your tortoise table, you have three lamp/bulb options:
- UV compact (UV only – tends to last for 12 months)
- Combination (UV and basking – tends to last for 12 months)
- UV strip light (UV only – tends to last for around 3 months)
Compact and combination lamps tend to be the most effective and value for money, and there are plenty to choose from.
SUBSTRATE
There are a couple of different substrates that are suitable for a tortoise table. A young tortoise will need approximately 2 inches of substrate, which should be made deeper as your tortoise gets older so that they can dig and bury. Here’s what you can use for tortoise substrate:
- Pellet bedding (made from compressed grass and pressed into pellets)
- Aspen (natural, odourless, dust-free and absorbent)
- Sterilised topsoil
It’s a good idea to line your tortoise enclosure with pond liner or thick plastic to avoid any seeping of substrate Our type of tortoise table is recommended for indoor housing. our tortoise table have not been treated you can either paint them with pet free friendly paint or yacht varnish. Please note this is only a guide.