| If you are thinking of getting a smaller variety of | | | | cleaning it makes a finished leg length of 21"). |
| tortoise you will be able to keep it happily in a well | | | | Using the screws, build the 2 frames with the 8' long |
| equipped tortoise table. These are relatively easy to | | | | pieces overlapping the 2'-9" long pieces. You want the |
| make if you have a little D.I.Y. knowledge and some | | | | frames to be 3'x8' outside measurement. |
| wood, a hammer and a screwdriver. | | | | Next, screw down the 3'x8' floor plywood to one of |
| The basic design includes somewhere for your | | | | the frames. Make sure you square the frame to the |
| tortoise to bask in heat and an artificial light source. | | | | plywood. The plywood should be flush to the outside |
| You will also have to think about what sort of | | | | of the frame all the way around. |
| substrate would be best used in the table. There are | | | | Turn the assembled frame over and attach the legs |
| a variety of commercially available products that | | | | to the inside of the frame with floor and the second |
| work very well in this type of environment and this | | | | frame assembly. The outside of both frame |
| design of enclosure will ensure it is easy to maintain | | | | assemblies should wrap around the outside of the |
| and keep clean. | | | | legs. |
| Here are a few basic instructions on how to build a | | | | If you want your tortoise table to have wheels this |
| 3'x8' Tortoise table (ideal for a Horsfield/Russian | | | | is a good time to attach them. |
| species) | | | | Turn it back over so it is standing on the legs. Attach |
| This table has a 3'x8' floor and the walls are 18" high | | | | the plywood walls to the outside of the 2x4 frame. |
| before instillation. The wall height after assembly is | | | | Make sure the bottom edge of the walls is flush to |
| 14" unless you attach wheels which will obviously give | | | | the bottom of the 2x4 frame all the way around. |
| it more height. | | | | Also make sure the 8' long side walls are flush to the |
| Use 1/2" thick plywood and cut: | | | | frame at each end. This will give you a nice, tight |
| 1 - 3'x8' (for the floor of the table) | | | | corner. The 3'-1" end walls will overlap the 8' side |
| 2 - 1'-6"x8' (for the side walls) | | | | walls. |
| 2 - 1'-6"x3'-1" (for the end walls) | | | | Finally use the nails and batons to secure the corners |
| Using 2x4 wood cut: | | | | of the walls. |
| 4 - 8' long (for the frame) | | | | Now all you have to do is equip it with a suitable |
| 8 - 2'-9" long (for the frame) | | | | reptile heating lamp and light source plus the |
| 4 - 1'-2" long (corner batons such as 2x2s) | | | | substrate. You will also need to plan what hiding |
| 4 - the legs are 18" tall. | | | | places and other rocks you can place inside the |
| If you attach wheels, for easy movement when | | | | tortoise table for your pet. |