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The best tortoise enclosure provides a comfortable and safe place for your turtle or tortoise to rest and bask in the sun. It is based on your tortoise’s size and type.
For example, a terrestrial turtle might need a roomier enclosure with one area for sleeping and another for basking in the sunshine. On the other hand, an outdoor or aquatic turtle might need a ramp inside the enclosure to come and go out of the water. You could also choose from opaque or transparent enclosures based on how you wish to view your pet and also the placement of the enclosure.
Naturally, tortoise enclosures vary in size based on whether you have small, medium, or large species of tortoises. Based on these different requirements, we have hand-picked 5 great indoor, outdoor enclosures for your tortoises. These selections are based on honest reviews and we are sure they will go a long way in helping you make an informed choice in housing for your buddy.
Best Tortoise Enclosure – 2021 Top 5 Picks
1. Our Editor’s Choice: Aivituvin Wooden Indoor & Outdoor Tortoise Enclosure
Aivituvin fir wood enclosure for tortoise/s is made for indoor and outdoor uses. It comes with a sturdy plastic bottom for easy cleaning and has a completely waterproof construction as well.
Your pets will get two deluxe rooms in this enclosure! There is an activity room and one sleeping area, and your pet can roam about freely between the two.
The private sleeping area comes with a covered top so your tortoise can get the privacy it needs while resting. On the other hand, the viewing/activity area is covered with a sturdy wire mesh made of acrylic that allows easy viewing while also letting your buddy bask in the warm sun.
In case you have several tortoises, you can buy two Aivituvin enclosures and even connect two or more enclosures (using straps that you need to buy separately).
The unit comes unassembled but assembly is fairly easy and you don’t need any special tools for the job.
2. Best Budget Buy: PawHut Store 2-Room Wooden Turtle Indoor & Outdoor Tortoise Habitat
PawHut Indoor-Outdoor tortoise enclosure will offer a comfortable home for your pet. Its double room design is spacious and allows plenty of room for your tortoise to roam about and explore.
There is a private area for your turtle/tortoise to rest and sleep while a viewing area lets you watch your pet as it watches you!
PawHut enclosure’s top comes with locking facility to keep your turtles from escaping while also letting them enjoy the sun. It also comes with removable middle and bottom panels that facilitate easier cleaning. This feature also lets you enlarge the inner space so your tortoises can easily use a larger area for roaming and exercise!
This is the preferred tortoise tank used by professionals – its large and spacious access area allows easy water-changes and wellness checks. Moreover, its high-quality pinewood and plywood construction makes the indoor tortoise box very sturdy and durable.
3. Best Glass Tortoise Terrarium: REPTIZOO Terrarium Tank
Glass tortoise enclosures allow for easier viewing and are ideal for certain species of tortoises.
The REPTIZOO terrarium tank is very well-designed and features a raised bottom for adding a space heater or heating pads for your pets. Its large doors not only open conveniently for easier cleaning; they even help prevent escapes. The large tank measures 36 x 18 x 18 inches and is ideal for single large tortoise or two or more smaller ones.
Moreover, the tank comes with vents on either side which easily lets you pass tubes or wires of heaters or other equipment. This also keeps your tank well-ventilated.
The manufacturers take extra care to keep the packaging sturdy and durable and also provides easy step-by-step instructions for easy assembly.
4. Best Overall: HiCaptain Tortoise House
HiCaptain Tortoise House is large in size measuring 36 x 24 x 13 inches (L x W x D). It is made from natural fir wood which is known for its durable and sturdy construction.
This tortoise enclosure comes with pre-drilled holes that are make assembly very easy. Its material provides warmth and comfort to your pets while it’s roomy, dark, yet spacious interiors allow plenty of area for your tortoise to bask, play, relieve itself, and sleep.
You can easily add a lamp or heater to the top of the tortoise house for added warmth in winters. Its thick wire grating measures 1/8th inch thick making it very difficult to bend or break. Last but not the least, the hatch opens easily to allow easy maintenance and wellness checks.
5. Best Value for Money: ROCKEVER Tortoise enclosure
ROCKEVER tortoise enclosure measures 36 x 13 x 24 inches (L x D x W) which is the ideal size of a turtle or tortoise enclosure.
It features a natural wood construction which is sturdy and durable and a double-room design that creates a luxury housing space for your pets.
The mesh top wire is 1/8th inch thick making it very sturdy and reliable. ROCKEVER enclosure also comes with a locking facility to prevent escape and the metal latch secures your buddies inside.
This is an open top hatch design enclosure that allows you to easily clean your tortoise’s living area. It comes with a cute frame that lets you hang a lamp for added warmth and lighting for your turtle’s home.
What is the Best Enclosure for Tortoise?
The best tortoise enclosures have the following features:
1. Optimum size
You cannot have a very large enclosure for a baby or small-sized tortoise and nor can you have a cramped one for a medium to large-sized species.
Always select the size according to your pet’s size. An optimum size is 36 x 24 x 13 inches (L x W x D). The enclosure you select should be large enough to allow shaded and sunny areas for your pets.
2. Must allow outdoor exposure
All tortoises need sunlight for producing vitamin D and that is why the enclosure you choose should have a basking area. At the same time, there should be a covered or shaded area for sleeping and privacy.
3. Easy to clean
Look for enclosures with wider opening on the top hatch or doors that open wide for easy cleaning so you can remove damp or used bedding/substrate.
4. Facility to add heater/lamps
Tortoise enclosure ideas also include space heaters and/or heating pads to keep your pets from freeing. Look for ones that have a pole on which you can hang a lamp for easier viewing and wellness checks.
5. Escape proof
Take care to keep the enclosure escape-proof as most tortoises are expert climbers. If there is a viewing area, ensure that a sturdy wire mesh covers it.
What Should Be Inside a Tortoise Enclosure?
Use the following tortoise indoor housing ideas to decorate your enclosure:
A. Substrate
Many species of tortoises like to dig and bury, so provide a thick substrate made of sand, soil, and composted leaves.
B. Plants
Add plants like aloe vera, geraniums, cactus, and turtle vines in the terrarium or enclosure.
C. Bedding
Add straw or hay bedding but take care that it does not become moldy otherwise it can cause dermatitis in your pets.
D. Accessories
Add accessories like bridges, sticks, decorative elements, shallow pots of water, etc. for your pets to climb, hide, or use as they need.
FAQs on Best Tortoise Enclosures
What size tank is ideal for Russian tortoise?
Russian tortoises measure about 6 to 8 inches at adulthood. Although they are small, they need a fairly large enclosure to move and roam about. The enclosure should also be tall since these expert climbers can easily escape. The best size, therefore, for the Russian tortoise is 36 x 12 x 24 inches.
What are Red foot tortoise outdoor enclosure requirements?
The ideal size for red foot tortoise tank is 4 ft. x 8 ft. They need cypress bedding and an indoor/outdoor enclosure since they thrive outside too and need time to bask in the sun and graze outdoors.
Conclusion
The best tortoise enclosures have optimal size and plenty of area for your pets to get some sunshine but also darkness to rest and sleep.
We recommend the Aivituvin tortoise enclosures since they are very easy to clean and made from sturdy and durable fir wood. They are also escape-proof and easy to assemble. Do check out our other recommendations as well.