Finished simple Box Turtle enclosure with pics

[Agamidae Architect]

Hello fellow turtle lovers, I just finished a new enclosure for my 2 box turtles. I am back home for the holidays and i thought i would update my box turtle enclosure and try a new style i thought of. It took me less than 2 hours and is very simple in design, yet it uses the space of the aquarium to the EXTREME with 2 levels!! Box turtles were my first herps and i got these about 15 years ago.(well my dad got em for me) Since there arent many new turtle threads put on very often, I thought i would share

Its basially a false bottom, yet there is a ramp located in the back right for them to access the bottom. The substrate is a pet friendly recycled plastic chip mix of some sort and i love it so far. I tried going the soil/plants route, but the turtles went CRAZY and burrowed, got messy, and drug handfuls of dirt into the water feature clogging the filter...NEVER NEVER NEVER use real plants and soil for box turtles lol i can assure you it wont work. I also used liquid nails to attatch a log tunnel over the ramp to prevent the turtles from falling over the side. They have no problem going up and down the ramp and I am pretty sure they LOVE their newly remodeled home. Anyways heres the pics.



Eastern box turtle


asian box turtle

[beckdg]

nice little setup there agamidae. i've seen the recycled plastic somewhere before, but can't put my finger on it. if you ever get tired of it coco croutons would look good in there. i'm sure they'd push it around quite a bit more since it's very light.

[phoenixflames44]

very creative! Love the two story idea. You can leave the lights on and they can go downstairs for bedtime!lol I wish I could see the ramp better though... Also, what size is the tank?

[Agamidae Architect]

HAHA thank! Yea i seriously think they are actually happier and i can see through their behavior that there is definetly less stress.

Its been years since i bought it, but i would guess its a 65 gallon or in that area. It has a lot of height so i though i would manipulate that and create more space on top for things like food plates and the bottom is quite roomy i could probably add 1 or 2 more box turtles but i have enough damn animals!!

Phoniex your wish is my command!!!! here are some stunning photos of the ramp curtousy of agamidae the photographer "muaahahaha"! I used egg crate atttched with aluminum wire with window screening on top. Note: I used mesh window screening because it is softer than the metal weaved screening on the turtles underside shells and their claws adhere to it rather well. Again, the log u shaped hut is glued above the ramp to the glass to prevent any possibilty of a "tip over" on the right side of the ramp which would be just flat out dangerous to the turtles..(To be honest they are quite unintelligent creatures but are very attaching and they can get used to their owner rather well).
Also, at the top of the ramp, i used a piece of egg crate on top laid flat to keep material from being dragged down the ramp. -much love



blahh

[phoenixflames44]

Wow. Beautiful photos, I wish i had that kind of ingenuity! I have a small red-eared slider. He's an "out doors pet" sort of the last of a transition to the "indoors". He's very cute and hibernating right now.

[Agamidae Architect]

Originally Posted by phoenixflames44

Wow. Beautiful photos, I wish i had that kind of ingenuity! I have a small red-eared slider. He's an "out doors pet" sort of the last of a transition to the "indoors". He's very cute and hibernating right now.

ME 2!! she was rescued from a Broken home lets just say! very friendly and fun animals those RES are.

[DazzleDiscus]

AA- love the turtles and the 2-story setup idea! Is it difficult to get to the bottom? I'm assuming that the top story comes off fairly easily? That is extremely important for me as turtles can get rather messy... :P as of course you've found out through your dirt experience lol. I too grew up keeping box turtles and I last year we even kept a baby for a couple of weeks before letting her go before fall hit - making sure that she had a full tummy of course

Oh- and could you please put spaces between the last three pictures? The thread linked them all together and makes it difficult to read the text.

[darc]

Nice idea... are those just dowel rods supporting the top layer?

-darc

[Agamidae Architect]

Originally Posted by DazzleDiscus

AA- love the turtles and the 2-story setup idea! Is it difficult to get to the bottom? I'm assuming that the top story comes off fairly easily? That is extremely important for me as turtles can get rather messy... :P as of course you've found out through your dirt experience lol. I too grew up keeping box turtles and I last year we even kept a baby for a couple of weeks before letting her go before fall hit - making sure that she had a full tummy of course

Oh- and could you please put spaces between the last three pictures? The thread linked them all together and makes it difficult to read the text.

no problem spaces added! The Top story is glued 2 The 1" dowel rods(2 answer darc's Q as well). I experimenTed 2 see if i had full access 2 the bottom via removin the rubbermaid water container b4 gluing. Also i dont think ill need 2 clean the bottom 2 often. thanks for replies yall!

Originally Posted by darc

Nice idea... are those just dowel rods supporting the top layer?

-darc