Cube tortoises are best kept outdoors to have plenty of space for them to roam. However, this doesn't mean you can't provide a good home for your cube tortoise if you can't provide an outdoor enclosure. A sufficiently large enclosure, habitat elements, and the right accessories can provide a suitable home for the tortoise.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Type of Cage
Step 1. Prepare a large enough cage
Cube tortoises need a lot of space to move freely like in their natural habitat. Each tortoise 20 cm long requires at least 91 sq cm in the terrarium. This large area was enough for him to roam, dig, and explore.
As another example, a 30 cm long tortoise requires at least 137 cm of space. If you have two tortoises 30 cm long, you will need a 275 cm cage
Step 2. Try a wooden turtle cage or also known as a turtle table
A cage like this is a shallow wooden box. You can buy or make your own. You only need four pieces of wood for the sides and another sheet of wood for the floor. Make sure the sides are high enough so the tortoise can't get out. The height of the sides is approx. 45 cm.
- If you are making a wooden cage, line the inside and sides to make it water resistant. You can use a non-toxic waterproof paint or coating. Thus, the turtle cage will not absorb water.
- Do not use processed wood because it can harm the turtle.
Step 3. Use a plastic container
You don't need to buy or build an expensive tortoise cage. You can use a plastic swimming pool or plastic container as a cage to create a suitable habitat for turtles. These containers are inexpensive and can be replaced easily. The size is also large enough that it can fit several turtles at once.
The plastic swimming pool is quite large so you have to provide a large enough room as well
Step 4. Consider a glass aquarium
Glass aquariums are not the best choice for cube tortoises because the sides are clear. However, if you want to place a cube turtle in an aquarium, make sure you set it up properly. Attach cardboard or paper to the three sides of the aquarium walls to help secure your turtle.
Turtles don't like being out in the open and being seen all the time. Turtles can feel stressed and even hurt themselves
Step 5. Avoid wire cages
Most cages designed for reptiles are not suitable for turtles. Never place tortoises in a wire cage for reptiles as tortoises can be injured. A reptile cage made of plastic can be used for your tortoise, although it's actually too small. Therefore, you have to make sure it's big enough.
Step 6. Make the cage strong and not allow the turtles to escape
Cube tortoises are notorious for escaping. This means you have to make sure the cage is secure. The sides must be completely perpendicular so that they cannot be climbed. The sides of the cage should also be high enough to prevent climbing over, generally twice the length of the tortoise.
- Put the cover on. You can use a wire net as a cover.
- Do not place anything on the sides or corners of the cage as this will make it easier for the tortoise to climb out.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Habitat
Step 1. Give substrate
Substrate is the material used to coat the bottom of the cage. This material retains moisture and allows the turtle to make burrows. You can use peat-based planting media mixed with orchid bark. You can also use bark, peat moss, or gravel instead of orchid bark. These ingredients help retain moisture. Spread about 5 to 8 cm thick at the bottom of the cage.
- The planting media you use must not contain additional ingredients such as perlite, fertilizer, or other plant growth supplements.
- Avoid using gravel for the aquarium or sand. These materials absorb a lot of water which can damage the turtle shell.
Step 2. Provide a heating lamp
Turtles need a heat source from outside their bodies to stay warm. In their natural habitat, turtles like to bask in the sun. You must provide a place for the turtle to warm itself. Half of the cage should be warm and the other half cooler so the tortoise can adjust to its body temperature.
- Install an incandescent light at the end of the cage to create a warm side.
- This heating lamp must be set on a timer so that the tortoise gets 12 to 14 hours of heat each day.
Step 3. Test the temperature
You should test the temperature on the warm side of the cage to make sure it's the right temperature. Place a thermometer under the heat source where your turtle will bask. The temperature should be around 29 degrees Celsius.
Make sure the lights don't overheat the enclosure as this can burn the tortoise
Step 4. Place the heating stone in the substrate
Another heat source option is a heating stone. This heater is buried in the substrate to provide heat for the turtle's belly. Make sure you cover the heating rock with a substrate thick enough to protect the turtle. Turtles should not be in direct contact with this heating stone.
Step 5. Try using a bottom heater of the cage
If you are using a glass aquarium, you can install a bottom heater so the turtles can get heat from the bottom of the tank. The heater can be attached directly to the aquarium.
This type of heater should not be used in plastic or wooden enclosures
Step 6. Provide an ultraviolet (UV) light source
Cube tortoises need UV light to survive indoors. You can dry the turtles on the terrace or by an open window for at least an hour a day. This should be enough. Alternatively, buy a UV lamp. This lamp must be able to emit UVA and UVB rays.
- Install the UV lamp at a distance of about 45 cm from the turtle.
- Pet stores have lamps that act as both heat and UV emitters, which could be a handy option for you.
Step 7. Maintain the humidity level of the cage
Cube tortoises need a moist environment to survive. The humidity of the cage should be 60 to 80%. To get this moisture content, use the right substrate coating. You should also spray your turtle every day to keep the humidity levels high.
If your tortoise starts burrowing constantly, you will need to increase the humidity of the cage as this is a sign that it is looking for moisture in the substrate
Part 3 of 3: Installing Accessories
Step 1. Provide shelter
Your turtle needs a place to hide that makes it invisible. Otherwise, the tortoise could feel stressed and hurt himself, or get sick. You can use anything for a turtle to hide in as long as it's big enough and he can fit in it.
You can use perforated wood or an over-the-counter hiding accessory. It is not difficult to provide a hiding place for the turtles. You can use a plastic bucket, a tilted pot, or a sturdy, well-covered container
Step 2. Provide obstacles to climb
Turtles love to climb and explore. He needs something that can stimulate, challenge, and provide entertainment. Put up obstacles to climb in the cage such as rocks and wood.
- Use a flat rock that is thick enough to be 3 cm thick for the tortoise to climb.
- If your tortoise is very small, use something less thick to make it easier to climb.
Step 3. Provide a place to swim
Cube turtles need fresh water for drinking and bathing. In the wild, turtles like to spend time in swamps or ponds, so you should prepare a place like this in your cage. Choose a container of water that is large enough for the tortoise to soak, but not too deep to reach its head. The turtle's head must be able to stick its head out of the water.
- Cube turtles don't care how their swimming area looks. You can use a bowl purchased at a pet store, a paint tray, a storage container, a flower pot bowl, a shallow ceramic bowl, or any shallow container that can hold water.
- The type of water that is best for turtles is water from their habitat that has been filtered. You can install a water filter in the turtle pond to keep the water dry. If you don't have a filter, change the water every two or three days.
