Info and good care sheet needed for a leopard tortoise

[SARGE07]

Hi we are getting a leopard tortoise i a few weeks and need to know the correct set up and temps etc, and whats the best food etc.... Its our first tortoise so any help will be of great value Thanks for your time

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by SARGE07

Hi we are getting a leopard tortoise i a few weeks and need to know the correct set up and temps etc, and whats the best food etc.... Its our first tortoise so any help will be of great value Thanks for your time

You will need as big an area as possible as leopards grow very large, around 20lbs or so. Use an open topped area as vivariums and tanks are very stressful to them and can cause respiratory problems, plus they grow out of a small area very quickly. Diet is mainly grasses so no wet supermarket food and no fruit. Over winter be prepared for a bigger heating bill as heating needs to be kept up to 30 degrees throught the year. As the tortoise grows it will need it's own fully insulated shed as it is impossible to keep a full grown leopard in the house, you would not believe the amount of poo these creatures can produce, mine give out something in the region of a large dog or small pony.
Good luck

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by SARGE07

Hi we are getting a leopard tortoise i a few weeks and need to know the correct set up and temps etc, and whats the best food etc.... Its our first tortoise so any help will be of great value Thanks for your time

Oops meant to say, have a look here for good care advice
Tortoise Trust Web - Observations on Dehydration in Reptiles.

[terrypin]

hi i keep several leopard tortoises of different sizes.if i can help in any way i will.what size is this leopard tortoise and do you know if it is wild caught or if it was captive bred .
terry

[jenrob]

Sorry to butt in on this thread but whats the best vits and calicum products for leopards? What do you use? Am not sure mine is that good!

[terrypin]

Originally Posted by jenrob

Sorry to butt in on this thread but whats the best vits and calicum products for leopards? What do you use? Am not sure mine is that good!

hi i make up a dry mix of finely chopped graze-on and limestone flour this is added to every meal i put pieces of cuttlefish bone in their enclosure every few weeks.i have to come clean and confess i use no vits at all,with any of my tortoises.
terry

[jenrob]

Originally Posted by terrypin

hi i make up a dry mix of finely chopped graze-on and limestone flour this is added to every meal i put pieces of cuttlefish bone in their enclosure every few weeks.i have to come clean and confess i use no vits at all,with any of my tortoises.
terry

Right thanks bought some now will use that.

[Geomyda]

Recommend Ed Pirog's Book on this species! Actually I have yet to read it myself, I did try to get a copy at the recent Chester Symposium, but they sold out too quickly.
Judging by the way they were selling, it must be damn good!

[terrypin]

Originally Posted by Geomyda

Recommend Ed Pirog's Book on this species! Actually I have yet to read it myself, I did try to get a copy at the recent Chester Symposium, but they sold out too quickly.
Judging by the way they were selling, it must be damn good!

have to say i havent read Ed's book on leopards yet so cant comment though im sure it is excellent .the best book i have read and can highly reccommend is by Richard and Jerry D.Fife.
terry