My Pet's New House
Some of ya have your dogs, some your cats, even a few birds and snakes, but my buddy is a turtle named Lucy.
Check out Lucy's mansion. It is damn near a biosphere!
The enclosure is 6' x 3' x 2', and made of black PVC, made by Animal Plastics. It has holes cut in the top for 2 UVB lamp fixtures, which supply Lucy with the critical UVB she needs for proper health and shell growth. There are two 18" fluorescent fixtures in the cage roof that supply plant spectrum light for the greenery. All the lights are worked by timer at about 14 hours of sunshine a day.
One-half of the floor of the enclosure has a heating coil built in, the half where her hiding box and log are, to provide a toasty place for Lucy to burrow into the cedar and crash.
Since Lucy is native to the tropics, optimal temperature is about 90 degrees with humidity around 80%. The enclosure features a built in misting system which mists water into the cage to add humidity and to water the grass that grows in the cage. About a liter a day in this enclosure keeps the humidity perfect, and the grass green.
I have had this setup for a couple of months now, and it appears her waste products are used by the plant life. She eats the grass. The grass eats the waste. No smell after two months! I plan to add a potato plant in the corner as she likes to eat those too.
She was in small aquarium before this, and she was lethargic and shy. Since putting her in her new house she has become very active and friendly.
Any one else have a unique pet?
Check out Lucy's mansion. It is damn near a biosphere!
The enclosure is 6' x 3' x 2', and made of black PVC, made by Animal Plastics. It has holes cut in the top for 2 UVB lamp fixtures, which supply Lucy with the critical UVB she needs for proper health and shell growth. There are two 18" fluorescent fixtures in the cage roof that supply plant spectrum light for the greenery. All the lights are worked by timer at about 14 hours of sunshine a day.
One-half of the floor of the enclosure has a heating coil built in, the half where her hiding box and log are, to provide a toasty place for Lucy to burrow into the cedar and crash.
Since Lucy is native to the tropics, optimal temperature is about 90 degrees with humidity around 80%. The enclosure features a built in misting system which mists water into the cage to add humidity and to water the grass that grows in the cage. About a liter a day in this enclosure keeps the humidity perfect, and the grass green.
I have had this setup for a couple of months now, and it appears her waste products are used by the plant life. She eats the grass. The grass eats the waste. No smell after two months! I plan to add a potato plant in the corner as she likes to eat those too.
She was in small aquarium before this, and she was lethargic and shy. Since putting her in her new house she has become very active and friendly.
Any one else have a unique pet?
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She is very very pretty....Nice home for her too.. 0 -
What did you do with Matt? 0 -
But mateo....where's the litter box?[:o)] 0 -
A friend at work just got a tortoise, he is quite enamored with it, I'll show him this in the morning.
Don0 -
Top notch accommodations.
I would suggest a mate for Lucy to make turtlettes.0 -
quote:Originally posted by gbeggrow
But mateo....where's the litter box?[:o)]
She seems to have it set up in the corner. The hot, humid atmosphere and the live plants break the waste down and use it for fertilizer.
Almost a self sufficient system.0 -
Spoiled Brat turtle! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by sarge_3ad
Spoiled Brat turtle!
That's exactly what the wifey sez!!0 -
I have an Australian bearded dragon. Ive had him for a few months now. He is not doing too well. I will take pics when I can.......... 0 -
That's a pretty neat little home she has. 0 -
That is a great set-up. I used to keep a few aquariums so I understand how important a natural setting is to the pet and also the keeper. I think you have a self sustaining system going.
Thanks for the pics!0 -
how long till butchering time[:D][?] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by jwb267
how long till butchering time[:D][?]
She ain't big enough, and won't be for another 5-6 years.0 -
is that a red foot tortoise? 0 -
Eastern Box Turtle? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by divebomb
is that a red foot tortoise?
She is called a "Cherry headed - Red Foot Tortoise."
They are a miniature version of the Red Foot and grow to only 8-10 inches...0 -
very cool! [8D]Ive got a boy and a girl russian tort, a girl African sideneck terripin and four 13" sliders, three reds and one yellow.[:)] 0 -
Wow Mateo! I've had hunting camps that weren't that nice! 0 -
Its a damn turtle for God sakes.....Does it need all that.....if so, let it go! 0 -
its not a turtle its a tortoise[:D] 0 -
Very good of you to make a turtle so comfortable .... You are correct in calling it a mansion!!!
I love it!!!0
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