Tortoise Care Guide
Tortoise Care Guide
Creating the right environment for your tortoise
Keeping a tortoise is a long-term commitment, and providing the right environment is one of the most important parts of responsible tortoise ownership.
A good tortoise enclosure should give your tortoise enough room to move naturally, areas of different temperature, suitable lighting, somewhere to hide, appropriate substrate and access to food and water.
At BespokePets, we make handmade tortoise tables and enclosures designed around the needs of your tortoise and the space available in your home.
Whether you're looking for a simple tortoise table, a table with a mesh lid, additional height, legs, a lamp arm or a viewing window, we offer a range of designs and can also discuss completely bespoke requirements.
Important: Tortoise care requirements vary between species, age, size and individual animals. This guide provides general information and is not a substitute for specialist husbandry advice or veterinary care. Always research the specific requirements of your tortoise.
Choosing the Right Tortoise Enclosure
One of the first decisions you'll need to make is where and how your tortoise will live.
A tortoise needs considerably more than a small box to sleep in. The enclosure should provide enough floor space for walking and exploring, while also allowing separate areas for basking, feeding, hiding and cooling down.
A larger enclosure generally gives you more flexibility when creating these different areas.
The correct size will depend on your tortoise species and its size. You should also consider the eventual adult size of your tortoise rather than only its current size.
Things to consider:
• The species of tortoise
• Your tortoise's current size
• Its expected adult size
• How much space you have available
• Whether the enclosure will be indoors or outdoors
• Heating requirements
• UVB requirements
• Whether you need a mesh lid
• Where your lighting equipment will be positioned
• Whether you need a lamp arm
• Whether you want the enclosure raised on legs
• Whether a viewing window would be useful
• Whether you need additional storage
• Whether you need a completely custom shape or size
If you can't find the right combination in our standard range, we can discuss a bespoke tortoise table built around your requirements.
How Much Space Does a Tortoise Need?
There isn't one enclosure size that is suitable for every tortoise.
The enclosure should be large enough to allow your tortoise to move between warmer and cooler areas rather than being confined to one temperature.
As your tortoise grows, its enclosure may need to be upgraded.
When planning an enclosure, it's worth considering how much space you can provide now and what your tortoise will need as it grows.
A larger table gives you more room to create a basking area, cooler area, hiding areas, feeding areas, water areas and enrichment.
Tortoise Tables vs Other Enclosures
A tortoise table is an open-style enclosure designed primarily around floor space rather than height.
For many indoor tortoise setups, this can make good use of available floor space while providing easy access to the enclosure.
Depending on your setup, you may want to add a mesh lid for additional security and to provide a convenient mounting area for lighting equipment.
Some of our tables can also be supplied with legs, lamp arms, mesh lids, viewing windows, storage, different colours and finishes, and bespoke dimensions.
Creating a Temperature Gradient
Tortoises are ectothermic, meaning they rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature.
An enclosure shouldn't simply be one temperature throughout. Your tortoise should be able to move between warmer and cooler areas.
The warmer area allows the tortoise to bask and raise its body temperature, while cooler areas allow it to move away from the heat.
Your enclosure should therefore allow room for a warm/basking area, a cooler area and hiding areas.
Basking Area
The basking area is where your tortoise can warm itself under its heat source.
The exact basking temperature should be determined by the species and the particular setup.
A reliable thermometer should be used to check the actual temperatures within the enclosure.
The basking lamp should be securely positioned so that your tortoise cannot come into direct contact with a hot heating element.
Our lamp arms and stands provide a convenient mounting point, but the customer remains responsible for choosing appropriate heating equipment and installing and using it safely.
UVB Lighting
UVB lighting is an important part of indoor tortoise husbandry.
Tortoises requiring UVB should have an appropriate reptile UVB source positioned according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
UVB provision needs to take into account the type of lamp, distance from the tortoise, area covered, lamp output, age of the lamp and anything between the lamp and tortoise.
A UVB lamp should not leave the tortoise with nowhere to escape from the light. Your enclosure should provide areas of shade.
Always follow the replacement recommendations supplied by the lamp manufacturer.
Heat Lamp Safety
Heat lamps can become extremely hot.
They should be securely mounted and positioned so that your tortoise cannot touch the bulb or other hot components.
Electrical cables should be kept secure and away from areas where they could be chewed, damaged or exposed to water.
A suitable thermostat should be used where appropriate.
Our lamp arms and stands provide a convenient mounting solution, but the customer remains responsible for choosing appropriate heating equipment and installing and using it safely.
Lighting and Day/Night Cycles
Your tortoise needs an appropriate light and dark cycle.
The exact lighting schedule can vary depending on species, season and husbandry requirements.
Lighting should not be used simply to illuminate the enclosure. UVB and heat requirements also need to be considered.
Your tortoise should have the opportunity to move away from intense light and heat.
Hides and Shelters
Tortoises need somewhere they can retreat and feel secure.
A hide should be positioned so that your tortoise can still regulate its temperature appropriately.
Depending on your setup, you may want a hide at the warmer end, a hide at the cooler end, natural-looking sheltered areas, or additional enrichment and cover.
If you have a particular idea for a hiding area, mention it when requesting a bespoke table and we'll discuss what can be made.
Substrate
The correct substrate depends on the species of tortoise and the individual setup.
There is no single substrate that should automatically be used for every tortoise.
The substrate should be appropriate for the species and should not create an unnecessary risk of ingestion or other problems.
Always research the substrate requirements of your particular tortoise before setting up its enclosure.
Humidity
Humidity requirements can vary considerably between tortoise species.
Some species require relatively dry conditions, while others require higher humidity, particularly during certain stages of development.
Don't assume that because one tortoise species thrives in a particular humidity range, another will have the same requirements.
Ventilation is also important.
Feeding Your Tortoise
Diet is another area where species-specific research is essential.
Many commonly kept Mediterranean tortoises have diets based heavily around appropriate weeds and leafy vegetation, but the correct diet varies between species.
Fresh food should be provided appropriately and uneaten food should be removed before it spoils.
When planning a larger bespoke table, you can also consider where food, water and hides will be positioned.
Water
Fresh drinking water should be available where appropriate for the species.
A shallow, stable dish can help reduce the risk of tipping and spilling water throughout the enclosure.
The dish should be accessible and kept clean.
Water requirements can vary between species, so always follow appropriate husbandry advice.
Calcium and Supplements
Many tortoises require appropriate calcium and supplementation as part of their diet.
However, the amount and type of supplementation should be appropriate for the species, diet and individual animal.
If you're unsure about your tortoise's nutritional requirements, seek advice from a qualified reptile veterinarian or experienced specialist.
Enrichment and Exercise
A tortoise table shouldn't be an empty box containing a heat lamp.
Your tortoise should have opportunities to move around and explore.
Suitable enrichment may include different terrain, safe plants, hides, rocks, suitable objects to explore and changes in substrate depth where appropriate.
Any objects placed inside the enclosure should be secure and must not be capable of falling onto or injuring the tortoise.
Cleaning Your Tortoise Table
Good hygiene is important.
Remove faeces, urates and heavily soiled material regularly and clean food and water dishes frequently.
A well-designed tortoise table should make cleaning reasonably straightforward.
When designing a bespoke enclosure, think about how easily you can reach the corners, where food and water will be positioned, how easily substrate can be removed, whether a removable lid would be useful and whether storage underneath would help keep cleaning equipment organised.
Baby and Juvenile Tortoises
Young tortoises can have different requirements from adults.
An enclosure suitable for a young tortoise may need to provide more carefully controlled environmental conditions and may need upgrading as the tortoise grows.
Consider the species and eventual adult size when planning an enclosure.
Different Tortoise Species Have Different Requirements
There isn't one universal tortoise setup.
Different species can have significantly different requirements for temperature, humidity, UVB, diet, substrate, space, seasonal care and hibernation/brumation.
Before purchasing an enclosure, make sure you've researched the specific needs of your tortoise.
Common Tortoise-Keeping Mistakes
Buying an enclosure that is too small: your tortoise needs room to move and thermoregulate.
Using the same temperature throughout: a temperature gradient allows your tortoise to move between warmer and cooler areas.
Guessing temperatures: always measure temperatures rather than relying on assumptions.
Incorrect UVB positioning: the distance and type of UVB equipment matter.
No suitable hiding area: your tortoise should have somewhere to retreat and feel secure.
Poor lamp positioning: heat sources must be securely positioned and kept away from direct contact with the animal.
Forgetting about future growth: a small tortoise doesn't necessarily mean a small adult tortoise.
Designing around the table instead of the tortoise: the enclosure should be designed around the animal's requirements first, with available household space considered alongside those requirements.
Designing Your Tortoise Table
Not every home has the same available space, and not every tortoise setup needs exactly the same configuration.
Depending on the product, options can include:
• Mesh lids
• Lamp arms
• Legs
• Viewing windows
• Storage
• Different colours and finishes
• Bespoke dimensions
If our standard sizes don't suit your available space, we can discuss making a table to your measurements.
Why Choose a Bespoke Tortoise Table?
A standard enclosure isn't always the right fit for your home.
Perhaps you have an awkward space, a specific maximum width, limited floor space, a particular height requirement, a requirement for raised legs, a particular lamp position, two tortoises requiring a larger setup, a specific colour, a viewing window requirement, or a corner or unusual layout.
Rather than trying to make your room fit a standard enclosure, we can discuss making the enclosure around the space you actually have.
Planning Your Bespoke Tortoise Table
If you'd like us to make something specifically for you, the more information you can provide, the better.
Recommended information:
• Length
• Width
• Enclosure height
• Leg height, if required
• Tortoise species
• Approximate tortoise size
• Lighting equipment
• Mesh requirements
• Lamp arm requirements
• Viewing window requirements
• Colour
• Any other requirements
A simple drawing or photograph with measurements can be extremely helpful for unusual designs.
Need Something Made to Measure?
If you've got a particular space, unusual dimensions or an idea that isn't available in our standard range, get in touch.
We can discuss your requirements and work out what is possible.
Request a Custom Tortoise Table
View Our Tortoise Tables
Important Safety Information
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for heating, UVB lighting, thermostats and electrical equipment.
Heat sources must be positioned safely and protected from direct contact with the tortoise.
Electrical equipment should be installed safely and kept away from water.
Any enclosure should be checked regularly to ensure that temperatures, lighting, ventilation and other environmental conditions remain appropriate.
If your tortoise shows signs of illness, injury or unusual behaviour, contact a qualified reptile veterinarian.
About BespokePets
BespokePets is a small family-run business based in Wales, creating handmade tortoise tables and pet enclosures.
We build our products with practical everyday use in mind, while offering options such as mesh lids, lamp arms, legs, viewing windows and bespoke dimensions.
Whether you're looking for a ready-made table or something designed specifically for your tortoise and your home, we're happy to discuss your requirements.