Hi all , I am planning on moving at xmas and am wondering whether people keep their leopards outdoors all year round . If so I have the option of a brick building or a shed that I can insulate. If not there is a room in the house but it means carrying up and downstairs and mine are heavy. Which is best

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alicia x

Ahem not moveing until xmas so loads of time to think it through .

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alicia x

I have a large plastic shed insulated with really thick kingspan insulation. I also have a tubular greenhouse heater on a thermostat.

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How is the ventilation in the plastic sheds as I was looking at them .

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alicia x

Have a look at this thread

How my leopards live

After a long warm my leopards still come out in the winter to graze grass.

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Sarah can your torts come and go as they please even in winter .

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alicia x

hi Alicia like Sarah i keep my leopards outdoors all year,they have access to a heated shed and obviously they are locked up at night.i find with leopards they are less inclined to return to the shed when they get cold unlike most tortoises so you should think you may have to haul them in at night when you plan the location of their shed (i wish i had LOL.)you also need to run power to the shed for heating and lights ,you will need to put bright fluorescent tubes in there as on dull days they may be less inclined to move if its dark in the shed.regardless of if you use the brick built shed or not i would still consider insulation as it will reduce your heating costs over winter.your leo's will benefit from access to a lawn on a daily basis even in winter once warmed up they should have the oppurtunity to graze even if they only do this for half an hour the benefits to their health far outweighs the hassle of having to drag them back in when they get cold.i would say its a bad idea to use an upstairs room as they get heavy my largest girl is about 40lb and 18" long so i think stairs on a regular basis is inconvenient to say the least.
terry

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these are my own opinions do with them what you will


http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/

we moved house at xmas last year, and i am only just getting everything in order for the tortoises. we WILL have a new small shed in a few weeks to insulate for the overnighting. and the wintering. i am also looking into some sort of rigid insulation for the greenhouse. i am planning to put it in around october and remove it at easter. that way they will have lots of indoor space. but with me having baby and the summer hols rapidly approaching i may be fighting a loosing battle.

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my bright red hair is very SHORT........where did it go!

i hope these help.
terry

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these are my own opinions do with them what you will


http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/

Wow you have alot on Ali . My torts are currently carried up and down stairs and as Terry said they will get heavier . The new house has good options for them and my back . Cheers for all the ideas I am sure I will be picking your brains soon . Good luck with all your babies Ali ps did you ever find out who or what laid the egg lol

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alicia x