Leopard Tortoise

[Radiantpaper]

Hi we are getting the above as a juvenile. What I would like to know is.

What do I need as it will be housed inside, things like heat and basking, food, substrate, food uv etc. And what is the best way to set this all up.

If you could give me clear advice or where I can get the information as to what I need to buy that would be great.

Many thanks.

[84KB11]

Below is my personal experience:

I find Leopards are never truly happy inside, they love to graze all day and roam around outdoors.

When weather is bad, or too cold, mine are housed indoors in 4' x 4' tables.
They are housed individually so I can monitor feeding and control nutrition.
Subsrate is newspaper with a hay box to sleep in and several large paving slabs to bask on.
Heating is a 250w infra red lamp on a dimmer stat.
Lighting is 26w 10.0 UV lamps, on a 7am, off at 8pm.
Food is mainly grass (mix of dry and fresh), with some dandylion/clover/plantain etc mixed in each day for variety.
Water bowns are available at all times.

Large (7"+) individuals are bathed weekely, smaller one every third day.

Hope this helps,

[EVIEMAY]

I agree with 84KB11 - I kept my Leopards indoors through the winter months and every night.

They do now sleep in a fully heated and insulated enclosure - the sleeping area is 7 x 5 and I have a 4ft tubular heater on 24/7 and an electric thermostatically controlled heater that cuts in if temps drop below 20 oc overnight.

I use a 160 watt megaray for basking.

They are a very rewarding tortoise but do have specific requirements.

[Radiantpaper]

Thanks, can I use a combined UV/heat lamp? Does that need to be left on all the time, where can I get one and whe can I get a clamp or a stand?

Sorry for questions just new.

PS they will be kept out side in good months and insdie with bad weather.

[EVIEMAY]

Kimbos Reptile World | Supplies | Equipment | Housing | Lighting | are really good and Darren is very helpful.

[EVIEMAY]

Originally Posted by Radiantpaper

Thanks, can I use a combined UV/heat lamp? Does that need to be left on all the time, where can I get one and whe can I get a clamp or a stand?

Sorry for questions just new.

PS they will be kept out side in good months and insdie with bad weather.

Through the winter their lamp comes on at 8.00am and goes off at 4 pm - they are usually asleep by then - in the summer they bask for around 2 hours then spend the rest of the day in the garden.

[Radiantpaper]

Originally Posted by EVIEMAY

Through the winter their lamp comes on at 8.00am and goes off at 4 pm - they are usually asleep by then - in the summer they bask for around 2 hours then spend the rest of the day in the garden.

DO you use just the one bulb? is is a combi?

[84KB11]

I keep heat on 24/7, so a combined bulb would not work for me.
Leopards really do need it warm, so in most cases you will still need estra heat at night (my big female will often wake up for a nightime bask).

My UV bulbs come from Ebay.
Heat lamps are from Countrywide Stores (bulb about £7, reflector about £20).

[EVIEMAY]

Originally Posted by Radiantpaper

DO you use just the one bulb? is is a combi?

Yes it is combined heat/light and has a 2 year life span as opposed to many of the cheaper ones that only have 6months.

Have a read on the site a posted for you.

How many are you getting and how old are they?

[ingwerules]

i listen to eviemay as she has the best housing ive seen for torts,and she obviously knows her stuff with her gang of leos, good luck in your friend for life, look around as theres always leos available.