Ideas needed x

[Joanne2407]

Hi

The tortoise bug has bitten again My dad kindly pointed out that, now I have my own house, I have more than enough space for as many tortoises as I like!! Oh I love my dad haha. I currently have one 3 year old horsfield tortoise, Lily, and have space for more but my bank balance wouldn't look very healthy if I started adding more tables, lamps, etc. I need some ideas of how I could keep 2 tortoises in the same table but seperately and for them to share one lamp. The table I have is roughly 4 foot by 1 1/2 foot. This would just be until I can afford to sort something bigger after my wedding in August. I have found a tortoise fairly close to where I live but I can't commit to buy until I have sorted this housing issue I would really appreciate any ideas or pictures of your enclosures. Thank you very much

Joanne xx

[yuna1971]

To be honest, I think wait until you can get a bigger table before adding another tortoise. For a 3 year old, the table you have is a little small but bearable for short term until you get something bigger. I would certainly go for 5ft+ x at least 2ft. You might go for bigger - depending on what space you have.
For now - I would wait. Thats just my humble opinion. I realise its such a great temptation but for 2 torts you are def going to need something larger to even think about separating it off. However...
What you could consider table wise - is perhaps a bunk bed style table. Secret Garden make these (size and spec to order) and they do lovely jobs from what I have seen.
For a flat , side by side one (ie divided up) I think Al has 2 torts that he cannot keep together so Im sure he can share what he has done in terms of the separation issue. ((I think I am right in saying this...Al??))
There are ways of lighting both enclosures if they were side by side.
For the bunk-bed option - each tier would have its own lighting and fixtures.
See what other opinions come back. xx

[Joanne2407]

Thank you for your comments. The table I have is definitely not too small for Lily. She has loads of space to explore. If I got another tortoise, I think I would end up keeping them in seperate tables. Thanks again xx

[lynnedit]

I did see a thread where the person stuck 2 tables together and they shared one
MVB heat /light bulb, place over the center wall of the two enclosures.
She was very happy with the temps.
She may have had additional house bulbs to help with lighting during the day on each side (less expensive to run, of course).

[Rowan]

I have 2 horsfields that lived together and then I had to seperate. I split their table in 1/2 due to space and added an upper level.

Here's a picture.



The lamp is shared and we used a piece of wood and a metal edging on top as was worried of heat on the wood.

Hope this helps.

Row xx

[Xero]

Originally Posted by Rowan

I have 2 horsfields that lived together and then I had to seperate. I split their table in 1/2 due to space and added an upper level.

Here's a picture.



The lamp is shared and we used a piece of wood and a metal edging on top as was worried of heat on the wood.

Hope this helps.

Row xx

Ohh nice table row, altho looks like they can climb out?



anyway, as for keeping torts together.. horsefields... best way would be to try get all females or a breeding group, of which being horsefields would probably still need splitting upm from time to time...

[Joanne2407]

Thank you very much for the pics Rowan. Your table looks fab!! Joanne xx

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by Joanne2407

Thank you very much for the pics Rowan. Your table looks fab!! Joanne xx

Thank you!

Steve, the sides are being builtup this year as Tetley can nearly get out even wih an overhang on the sides!!!!!

Row xx