Best Tortoise Hides UK: Wooden, Cork and Resin Shelters

Picks were chosen by product type, covering wooden, cork, resin, cave, log, corner and slate hides. We compared the materials and shapes stated in each listing, with no stock, review or testing claims.

What Size Tortoise Hide Do You Need?

A tortoise hide should be large enough for your tortoise to walk in, turn round and settle with a little space above its shell. Too small, and the tortoise may get stuck or refuse to use it; too large, and it loses the snug, secure feel that makes a hide useful. Measure your tortoise’s shell length and height in cm, then add at least a third to both figures for the inside of the hide. Compare that with the internal sizes in each listing, since outer measurements include thick walls. Remember that most tortoises grow steadily, so a hatchling may need two or three hides over the first few years. For Mediterranean species such as Hermann’s tortoises, a hide that is a little long and low usually suits them, as they like to push into it with their shell touching the roof.

How Do These Tortoise Hides Compare?

The table shows who each tortoise hide suits and the material stated in its listing. Measure your tortoise’s shell length and height first, then check the internal size.

Are Wooden, Cork or Resin Tortoise Hides Better?

Each material suits a different setup: wood is warm and sturdy, cork is light and natural, and resin wipes clean easily and copes well with damp. Wooden hides suit tortoise tables, where they sit on dry substrate and stay solid for years if untreated and well made. Cork bark is light enough to move for cleaning and holds a little humidity, which suits species that like a slightly moister retreat. Resin caves often look like rock and can be scrubbed without swelling, a plus in humid enclosures. Slate hides hold warmth when placed near the basking area. When comparing, check that wooden hides use untreated timber and that resin ones have smooth edges with no sharp seams. A good practical test is to press on the roof: it should not flex or wobble, since tortoises push hard against hides when they settle.

Where Should a Tortoise Hide Go in the Enclosure?

A tortoise hide usually goes at the cooler end of the table or vivarium, well away from the basking lamp. Tortoises regulate their temperature by moving between warm and cool areas, and the hide offers a calm retreat where they can rest without overheating. Some keepers add a second, smaller hide in the warmer half so the tortoise can shelter at either end. Bed the hide into the substrate a little so it does not slide when pushed, and leave a clear path to the entrance. Avoid placing it directly under a water dish or in a corner that gets wet. To check temperatures, place a digital thermometer probe inside the hide for an hour and compare the reading with the basking spot; there should be a clear difference, which shows the tortoise has a real choice of warmth.

How Many Tortoise Hides Does an Enclosure Need?

Most tortoise enclosures need at least one hide at the cool end, and many keepers add a second in the warm half so the tortoise never has to choose between shelter and warmth. Tortoises spend long periods resting, and if the only hide sits in the wrong temperature zone, they may stay too warm or too cool rather than leave it. In larger tables, a third hide or a planted area with cover gives extra choice. Keep hides spaced apart so the tortoise can move freely between them, and leave open floor for walking and basking. If you keep more than one tortoise, provide one hide each plus a spare, which reduces pushing and squabbling over the best spot. Outdoor enclosures need a weatherproof shelter as well, raised slightly off wet ground. Every few weeks, check how each hide is being used; a hide that is never visited may be in a spot that feels too exposed, too bright or too warm, and moving it a short way often fixes this.

We cover the rest of the setup in our guide to tortoise tables and the reptile hides guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 23 October 2026.