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How to Make a Tortoise Table? A Complete Guide

How To Make Tortoise Table

How to make a tortoise table?

It is common to see a lot of tortoise tables in homes, as they are often used as centerpieces or as accent pieces. Many people may not know how to make one on their own, and that’s why we’re here!

Let us show you the steps below!

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How to Make a Tortoise Table?

So, how to make a tortoise table?

You need a plan that will suit what you have or can afford to build/buy. There isn’t a universal perfect setup. If it doesn’t work perfectly right away, you will simply need to tweak it little by little until it does.

The tortoise table doesn’t have to be perfect from day one. You may even find after a year or two that your initial construction needs serious improvement!

While the pictures depict the use of a room as a tortoise table, this same concept can be used to build one from scratch.

In fact, I have discussed this topic with many people who have been interested in creating their own room for years upon years! They wanted a space that was separate from the rest of their house and contained an entire set-up including:

  • A place for the actual tortoises to live (in this case, a large enclosure)
  • A “sleep area” for the humans to stay overnight if needed
  • Additional food storage area/s
  • An equipment room where HVAC, UVB lighting, and appliances would be placed

And even more! You will notice that several of these items are only briefly mentioned here. But I am trying to keep this article as general as possible without boring you with too much information!

You need more than just the tortoise table. While it is a big part of the equation, there are several other things that must also be included in your initial setup.

This will include everything from substrate and decor to lighting, heating and cooling devices, and your tortoises!

The only thing I am going to mention here is water dishes because they are the most essential part of any enclosure for land-based animals. But do not overlook any other necessities when designing your space.

how to make tortoise table warmer

I don’t recommend specific brands/items but rather focus on what works best when building or converting an area into a tortoise room.

You can use any substrate that you’d like, as long as it’s easy to clean and there isn’t any risk of impaction.

The one most commonly used is cypress mulch (“the bedding” or “the soil”), which consists of shredded wood chips ranging from 2 to 8 inches in length depending on the manufacturer you purchase it from.

It holds humidity extremely well, doesn’t hold onto odors, and our tortoises love to dig around in it!

You also need some type of decor/elevation within the enclosure itself. Anything will work (logs, rocks, and bricks). I prefer things that are either made out of a natural product or painted with non-toxic paint.

You will only need small rocks for smaller tortoises, but larger ones can be added to any enclosure if you’d like.

I recommend that you have any type of “sleep area” in your tortoise room, even if it is just a couch and/or an air mattress.

Do not underestimate how much work it is to keep a tortoise! They require constant supervision, so it would be ideal to have a comfortable space where you can sleep when needed.

In fact, I have been known to crash on the floor next to my own exhibit when necessary because I didn’t want my animals to get stressed out from being away from me for too long.

There also needs to be space where food and equipment can easily be stored when not in use (or when you are not using them). When we moved indoors for the winter, we actually used an 8-foot table in our large living area for this very purpose.

All of our tortoises were kept in one room with a “sleep area,” and the table was strictly used for food storage and as another work surface when building or making repairs on enclosures.

Again, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just something that works!

The only requirement here is that you need some type of heating and cooling device/s if you live anywhere that gets colder than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

If that is your situation, then you should plan on either using a ceramic heat emitter to keep the enclosure warm during colder months or investing in some type of “cooler” if extreme heat is an issue for you.

How to Make a Tortoise Table From a Bookcase?

The idea was to make the tortoise table 1m high. This would require me to remove one of the shelves from a bookcase so that there is enough space for the tortoise to walk inside. I was thinking of putting plants inside, too.

Landing on something soft will prevent most injuries if your tortoise climbs onto higher surfaces. The following method will also allow you to leave your door open and watch him wander in and out as he pleases.

A word of warning, though, don’t leave it open for too long or you may have a lawn ornament!

Open up a very large box (or several small ones), put some newspaper/old towels down, and try placing a little food in just the opening.

If he doesn’t go in and investigate, try and tempt him with some food and watch him walk into the box. If he still doesn’t, try placing a little more food just inside so that there’s something worth investigating.

Once he is inside, you can block off the open end with paper or cardboard to trap him inside.

Next, move your tortoise table furniture so that it is next to the box/es (you may need help from someone). Place your tortoise on top of his new house and simply lift up one side of the box and slide it under the tortoise, upside-down!

how to make your own tortoise table
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Now that we’ve got our tortoise home safe and sound, we can begin building our table.

These instructions will work for any bookcase, just adjust accordingly!

We already have a door for our tortoise table. Now, we need legs or a stand.

We can make these from the back of the bookcase because it’s nice and sturdy and you’re going to be making a hole in it anyway. This is where I came unstuck when I tried to drill into the glass!

If you don’t want to damage your furniture, go out and buy some wood that will support your table. Remember, if your tortoise bumps his head, he won’t be happy. Please take this into consideration before you start cutting up the house.

Once you’ve built a frame for inside the bookcase, which is 1 meter by 50cm high, mark out where each shelf has been cut out with a pencil/pen.

Then simply drill or cut away the marked areas. Don’t worry about making them perfect just so long as they will support the wood on top.

Before you start building your tortoise table inside your bookcase, make sure that your door can still close properly. You may need to adjust how much wood is sticking out the back depending on what size/shape of door you have.

I couldn’t get a 1m high frame in mine but this turned out to be better because I could fit all my decoration around the frame like tables and chairs for example.

Once you have finished drilling/cutting away, remove all loose pieces of wood from inside the bookcase cavity. Then fill with soil right up to where each shelf used to sit (or just below it).

Again, don’t worry about being perfect. Just ensure that the frame is covered.

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We’re almost there!

Now, simply turn over your tortoise table bookcase and slot your frame into place. You may need help from someone to do this because you will be lifting quite a bit of weight (if you have used strong wood).

The next step is hammering nails/staples through the top of the frame and into your backboard (the piece of wood on the inside). If you want to make sure it’s all nice and sturdy, nail each side, too, or perhaps even glue it together if you know how.

Once this is done, cover them with contact adhesive mesh (make sure they are tacked down at the bottom) and leave them to dry. If you have a few nooks and crannies as I do, then fill these with soil as well (clean out at the end of the season).

Close up your tortoise table bookcase, make sure the door can close properly, and you are done!

If there are already shelves inside your bookcase, it might be worth measuring them up and cutting some to size to fit back into place or use as shelf supports.

Just fill it with whatever you want, like potting compost, stones/gravel, toys, etc., and don’t forget to use food-grade soil only.

I ended up filling my front part with potting compost because I wanted something nice and decorative. But if your tortoises are really little, you might want to use a stone/gravel mixture instead so they can’t accidentally consume any soil.

Conclusion

The tortoise table is a common project for beginning woodworkers. It does not require many power tools, but it does need some attention to detail in order to make the joints and surfaces as smooth as possible.

If you want to give this DIY furniture project a try, we recommend first reading through all of our instructions before starting on your own!

You can also watch videos that show how each step should be completed if you would like more help getting started with the process.

Once again, we recommend taking time at every stage so that everything fits together nicely and looks professional once complete. We hope these tips will help you enjoy building your new tortoise table!

Key points to remember when considering how to make a tortoise table:

A tortoise table is a fantastic enclosure for your pet tortoise, providing them with space to move around, explore, and bask comfortably. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a tortoise table:

Materials You’ll Need:

  1. Wooden Board: Choose a sturdy and non-toxic wooden board as the base of your tortoise table. The size will depend on the space you have and the size of your tortoise.
  2. Frame Material: You’ll need wooden beams or lumber to create a frame around the base. This will provide support and help contain the substrate.
  3. Screws and Screwdriver: Use screws to secure the frame to the base and assemble any additional structures.
  4. Hinges (Optional): Hinges can be used to create a hinged lid, which is helpful for easy access and cleaning.
  5. Wire Mesh or Plexiglass (Optional): If you want to add a lid or sides to your table, you can use wire mesh or Plexiglass. This is particularly useful for outdoor enclosures to protect your tortoise.
  6. Tools: You’ll need a saw, drill, measuring tape, and a level for cutting and assembling the materials.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Design Your Tortoise Table:
    • Decide on the size and shape of your tortoise table. Ensure it’s spacious enough to accommodate your tortoise comfortably.
  2. Cut the Base:
    • Cut the wooden board to the desired dimensions for the base of your table.
  3. Build the Frame:
    • Cut the wooden beams to create a rectangular frame that matches the dimensions of the base. Attach the frame to the base securely using screws. Make sure it’s level and sturdy.
  4. Add Legs (Optional):
    • If you prefer a raised table, attach wooden legs to the corners of the frame. The height should be comfortable for you to interact with your tortoise.
  5. Create a Lid (Optional):
    • To make a hinged lid, build a wooden frame that matches the size of the table. Attach it to the table using hinges. This lid can be covered with wire mesh or Plexiglass to provide security while allowing ventilation.
  6. Sand and Finish:
    • Sand the edges and surfaces to remove any rough spots or splinters. You can finish the wood with non-toxic paint or varnish to protect it from moisture and make cleaning easier.
  7. Install Substrate:
    • Fill the tortoise table with a suitable substrate, such as coconut coir or cypress mulch, to create a comfortable and natural habitat for your tortoise.
  8. Add Decor and Furniture:
    • Place items like rocks, hiding spots, and shallow water dishes in the enclosure to create a stimulating environment for your tortoise.
  9. Provide Heating and Lighting:
    • Install a basking lamp to create a warm spot and UVB lighting to mimic natural sunlight. Ensure the temperature and lighting are appropriate for your tortoise species.
  10. Introduce Your Tortoise:
    • Once the table is set up and the temperature and lighting are correct, introduce your tortoise to its new enclosure. Ensure they have easy access to their basking spot and water source.

Maintenance and Care:

  • Regularly clean and spot-clean the enclosure to maintain a healthy and hygienic environment for your tortoise.
  • Check and adjust the temperature and humidity levels as needed.
  • Provide a balanced diet and fresh water for your tortoise to ensure their well-being.

Creating a tortoise table allows you to provide a safe and enriching habitat for your pet while having the flexibility to customize it to meet their specific needs. Remember to research the requirements of your tortoise species to ensure they thrive in their new environment.

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