Smart Tortoise Keeper

05/16/2024

One of our grandsons did a “teach the class day” today. His subject was turtles and tortoises. We took some of our spotted turtles and Burmese Stars - mom, her baby and a juvenile.

05/07/2024

Sure a lot of breeding activity with our radiata group with the nice weather now.

06/17/2022

Lots of great tortoises and tortoise foods available at the show. Special show pricing on many items. Come check it ourif you’re in the area at all!!

03/02/2022

Some of this year's baby Burmese Stars (hatched this winter) that are now well started and growing perfectly smooth. These guys are ready for new homes.

02/27/2022

02/25/2022

I will be at the Repticon this weekend in Costa Mesa CA. Feb 26-27. I’ll have a Smart Enclosure on display to answer any questions. I also will have several Baby Burmese Stars. Come pick out one for you!

Kapidolo farms will also be there with his great dried foods for your tortoises

See you there!

01/17/2022

This is my third year getting nests and eggs from my group of Burmese Stars. I have 4 producing females ranging in age from 8 to 11 years old and in size from 3700g to 6600g. So far from my 2021 egg season, I have hatched 102 babies with one more final clutch in the incubator due to hatch next week. All 7 of those eggs are looking great at this stage so that would make 109 babies produced from 4 females. A total of 18 clutches from Dec 24, 2020 through Oct 2, 2021. One female has a very poor hatch rate, but the other 3 make up for it. Overall exactly 70% of the eggs have hatched. The last 7 are from a real good producer, so if all 7 of those hatch I will end up at 72% hatch rate for the year. Average total diapause and incubation time per clutch is 114.8 days.

When I first acquired my founders, it was generally reported that there were perhaps 200 - 300 Burmese Stars left in the wild. They were considered functionally extinct. I developed a relationship with the head of the largest Burmese Star conservation colony in Myanmar. Through conversations with her, she said although she had over 3000 tortoises in her pens, the ones they can release seem to disappear as quickly as they can try to reestablish them. The only hope is long-term educational work with the local population. Getting the school kids and locals to see the tortoises as a local treasure to be protected. Habitat loss continues to also be the biggest challenge despite the few reserves they have created.

We can see the success of captive breeding programs. Although they may go extinct in the wild, it seems certain that now they will definitely not go extinct in captivity. It is private breeders like me and those before me that I have learned from, that has ensured the survival of this species. A great example of what can be done by dedicated, private breeders. As more Burmese Stars are produced, it is my hope that dozens of dedicated tortoise lovers throughout all parts of the country will also develop viable colonies of 12 - 25 Burmese Stars. We will have dozens of viable, genetically robust assurance colonies kept by dedicated keepers using the latest husbandry techniques -- and continuing to share best practices. That is how I believe you keep a species from going extinct when in their native land, the demand for other land uses, and poor governmental control will simply not allow them to exist much longer.

If you are interested in starting your own colony of these beautiful tortoises, let me know. These are now established enough to sell and find new homes. I will also be at the Reptile Supershow in Pomona this next weekend if you want to pick out some in person! (shipping is so bad right now I will not ship for the next few weeks at least).

2nd picture - Here's an example of how my babies grow perfectly smooth. This is one of just a few I held back from last fall's hatchlings Just over a year old and perfectly smooth. You can also see her (??) in the middle left tub. All raised in Smart Enclosures!

09/30/2021

I will be at the San Louis Obispo Show with Kapidolo Farms. Come look us up and say hello!

08/12/2021

You no longer have to raise tortoises that are pyramided! That's why I've started offering Smart Enclosures - to help people raise tortoises properly - Smart tortoise keeping. Here's some examples of tortoises I have raised in my Smart Enclosures. Perfect and automated control of temperatures and humidity! I like to let the results speak for themself.

08/11/2021

SMART ENCLOSURE details:

Base Unit - Includes:
2 installed thermostats. One for ambient heat and cooling. One for overheat protection on the basking light.
Smart Power strip with 4 individually controlled outlets. One for Heat thermostat. One for basking thermostat. One for UVB. One for ambient LED lights.
LED lights (5000K) 90+ CRI, 1050 lumens each - installed in ceiling of enclosure for ambient light on smart timer.

All walls, ceiling, and floor is double wall PVC.
Double pane acrylic doors.
Walls, floor, ceiling all slips together with no screws, and slips apart for easy transport.

Base UNIT
48 x 36 x 30 $950.00
48 x 30 x 30 $900.00
48 x 24 x 30 $850.00
36 x 24 x 30 $800.00

COMPLETE UNIT (ready to plug in) Also includes:
5.5” Arcadia premium aluminum dome for basking light.
5.5” ceramic dome w/ 100 watt Ceramic Heat Emitter
24” Arcadia PRO T5 12% UVB fluorescent fixture and bulb

COMPLETE UNIT
48 x 36 x 30 $1093.00
48 x 30 x 30 $1043.00
48 x 24 x 30 $993.00
36 x 24 x 30 $943.00
All units are modular – expandable.
Each unit is made with no screws or fasteners for assembly. The sides, front and back simply snap into place on the bottom and the top then fits on top perfectly. A second unit can then be attached to the first unit to double the size for a growing animal or collection.
Expansion UNIT:
Identical size to simply slip together and expand your enclosure. Simply remove one side of your unit and snap together an additional front with doors, floor, back and top to double the size. A 36x24 becomes 72x24. A 48x36 becomes a 96x36.
Includes LED lights installed in ceiling with cord that plugs into the timer for the ambient lighting of the original enclosure. Same double walled PVC construction and double pane acrylic doors.

EXPANSION UNIT
48 x 36 x 27 $800.00
48 x 30 x 30 $750.00
48 x 24 x 30 $700.00
36 x 24 x 30 $950.00

Individual extras:
Humidity controller in front panel $55.00
Arcadia 22” PRO T5 HO 12% UVB bulb & fixture $70.00
Arcadia 34” PRO T5 HO 12% UVB bulb & fixture $75.00
Arcadia 5.5” Dome light fixture w/ceramic base $30.00
Arcadia 8” Dome light fixture w/ceramic base $35.00
Basking - Pro lamp holder w/cage $40.00
100 watt Ceramic Heat Emitter $13.00
Vivarium Electronics 40-watt Radiant Heat panel $75.00
Vivarium Electronics 80-watt Radiant Heat panel $90.00

08/11/2021

SMART Enclosures – READY TO USE
Just it plug in!

*Double walled PVC construction
Impervious to water and moisture – no fumes or oils.
*Easy assembly and moving – no screws or fasteners – everything simply slips together and locks in place.
*EXPANDABLE – TWO units join together by removing one wall and make a double size enclosure – or add another again to triple the size!
No lost use of an outgrown enclosure!
*Dual thermostats – ambient & basking overheat protection
*Wired and ready for Your Basking, Heat, and UVB. (They are included in the “Complete Unit”)
All Wires are fed through into the Electrical compartment – totally separate and out of sight.
*Smart Strip with 4 individually controlled timers – controlled from smart phone.
*4 flush mount LED lights installed in ceiling.
Each 1050 lumens, 90+ CRI
*All wiring hidden in compartment so only a cord to plug the entire unit in is visible.
*Hinged, double pane acrylic doors.

Sizes available from 36” or 48” long. And 24”, 30” and 36” wide.

06/26/2021

Brenda teaching Darwin to come and follow for a cactus pad. Only 2 yrs old and 19 lbs but this will be very useful when he’s over 300+lbs!

06/22/2021

Always bitter-sweet shipping off a baby tortoise you hatched to a new home. But I know it will be well cared for as the new owner got one of my Smart Enclosures to ensure the proper environment. He got it all set up and running prior to my shipping today.

Hatchling #098 7 mos old. 118g.

Have a great and long life #098!

06/20/2021

Hello, thanks for looking. I've designed, engineered, and built many reptile enclosures over a 30 year span. The current enclosures are the result of that many years of work. Please like my page, share with others, and if you're already using an enclosure I've built feel free to share an image of it as you have it in use.

I designed these for my own tortoises as I researched and experimented with best ways to raise baby tortoises and eliminate pyramiding. Through evolutions of enclosures I had built over the years I was trying to find the perfect environment for raising a baby tortoise. Each one kept getting better and incorporating more and more - everything I needed for the tortoise and proper heat, humidity, and lighting. These enclosures are the result of years of improvement and innovation. I feel they are now by far, the best way to raise a tortoise of all species. Everything is so controllable.

I never planned on making and selling enclosures! When some of my best tortoise friends convinced me to make what I had for them, I finally agreed. I was then encouraged to offer them at least to folks buying my baby Burmese Stars so I would know they are getting a good home. That soon evolved into other tortoise folks, and here I am today, making several of these a week!

The cost of building a proper enclosure adds up quickly. Finding a material that will not rot and is waterproof was especially important. Adding all the lights, heat, thermostats, timers, etc. is a big expense, so I carefully sourced the best equipment from the best manufacturers, to include at prices less than they can be purchased elsewhere. So, these are not inexpensive. They are designed to be the best for a tortoise and easy to maintain, yet with flexibility to expand and move.

Attached you will find the information sheet for my Smart Enclosures. Keep in mind these are already completely wired for all heating and lighting for the enclosure, including dual thermostats and 4 individually controlled smart outlets. No more clutter and tangle of wires on the enclosure with powerstrips, timers, thermostats, etc. All you have that exits the enclosure is one wire to plug it in!

All enclosures simply slip together- no screws or fasteners. Enclosures are expandable as your tortoise or collection grows, simply add another that snaps together, and you have doubled the size of your enclosure!

Shipping gets expensive with these enclosures as well, so please consider that! I do ship all over the US, but an enclosure has to be shipped LTL freight. Even though it comes in pieces that simply slip together for assembly the crate to ship is bulky and heavy. Shipping will normally run anywhere from $200 - $350 for a single enclosure. $500 - $600 for a double. If you live within driving distance you can certainly arrange to come pick it up.

Right now, I have 12 enclosures currently on order to build. So, the build time is currently about 6-8 weeks lead time from an order with deposit to the time I could ship to you.

To order an enclosure and get in the queue, I need 1/2 down payment. The last 1/2 and shipping would be due when the enclosure is ready to ship. I accept PayPal, Venmo or Zelle bank transfer. Let me know if you want to order, the size of enclosure and the type of payment method you prefer, and I will get you the link to that account.

To check on build status and to place an order, please email first.

All pricing and sizes are listed below... Keep reading.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[email protected]

Thank you,

Mark

SMART ENCLOSURE details:
Base Unit - Includes:
2 installed thermostats. One for ambient heat and cooling. One for overheat protection on the basking light.
Smart Power strip with 4 individually controlled outlets. One for Heat thermostat. One for basking thermostat. One for UVB. One for ambient LED lights.
LED lights (5000K) 90+ CRI, 1050 lumens each - installed in ceiling of enclosure for ambient light on smart timer.
All walls, ceiling, and floor is double wall PVC.
Double pane acrylic doors.
Walls, floor, ceiling all slips together with no screws, and slips apart for easy transport.
Base UNIT
48 x 36 x 30 $899.00
48 x 30 x 30 $849.00
48 x 24 x 30 $799.00
36 x 24 x 30 $749.00
COMPLETE UNIT (ready to plug in) Also includes:
5.5” Arcadia premium aluminum dome for basking light.
5.5” ceramic dome w/ 100 watt Ceramic Heat Emitter
24” Arcadia PRO T5 12% UVB fluorescent fixture and bulb
COMPLETE UNIT
48 x 36 x 30 $1042.00
48 x 30 x 30 $992.00
48 x 24 x 30 $942.00
36 x 24 x 30 $892.00
All units are modular – expandable.
Each unit is made with no screws or fasteners for assembly. The sides, front and back simply snap into place on the bottom and the top then fits on top perfectly. A second unit can then be attached to the first unit to double the size for a growing animal or collection.
Expansion UNIT:
Identical size to simply slip together and expand your enclosure. Simply remove one side of your unit and snap together an additional front with doors, floor, back and top to double the size. A 36x24 becomes 72x24. A 48x36 becomes a 96x36.
Includes LED lights installed in ceiling with cord that plugs into the timer for the ambient lighting of the original enclosure. Same double walled PVC construction and double pane acrylic doors.
EXPANSION UNIT
48 x 36 x 30 $749.00
48 x 30 x 30 $699.00
48 x 24 x 30 $649.00
36 x 24 x 30 $599.00
Individual extras:
Humidity controller in front panel $55.00
Arcadia 22” PRO T5 HO 12% UVB bulb & fixture $70.00
Arcadia 34” PRO T5 HO 12% UVB bulb & fixture $75.00
Arcadia 5.5” Dome light fixture w/ceramic base $30.00
Arcadia 8” Dome light fixture w/ceramic base $35.00
Basking - Pro lamp holder w/cage $40.00
100 watt Ceramic Heat Emitter $13.00
Vivarium Electronics 40-watt Radiant Heat panel $75.00
Vivarium Electronics 80-watt Radiant Heat panel $90.00