How to Care for a Leopard Tortoise
The Leopard tortoise, commonly offered in the pet trade, has a shell that's a striking combination of black and yellow. A large enclosure is required, since the Leopard tortoise may grow up to 2 feet in length and weigh 100 pounds. A dry environment is also necessary because they develop respiratory problems in moist habitats. Learn the best ways to care for your Leopard tortoise, which can live 100 years or more.
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Instructions
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Create a roomy habitat. Indoors, young Leopard tortoises can be kept in large aquariums or screened habitats, and adults require a pen of at least 6 by 8 feet. Outdoor enclosures with predator-proof tops are best for warm weather to allow larger tortoises room to graze and to provide natural UVB light.
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Add hay to the bottom of the enclosure, which can be nibbled on, and makes an excellent substrate. Keep the hay dry to avoid respiratory problems. Provide a shallow water dish for drinking and soaking.
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Feed alfalfa and timothy hay, orchid grass, leafy greens like dandelion and cactus pads. Supplement with calcium powder sprinkled on the food in proper amounts recommended for the weight of your Leopard tortoise or offer cuttlebone to nibble. Indoor tortoises should get calcium with vitamin D. Outdoor animals don't need vitamin D with their calcium because they get it from the sun.
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Remember that Leopard tortoises don't hibernate because they're from the African Savannah, which is an arid environment. Winter moisture will make them sick, because they're not accustomed to it.
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Keep in mind the temperature gradient for your Leopard tortoise. Daytime temperatures should run between 70 and 75 degrees F, and nighttime temperatures should never be less than 60 degrees F.
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Use UVB bulbs and heat bulbs in one corner of the enclosure for Leopard tortoises kept indoors. Under-tank heating pads work well also. Add a hide box in the cooler corner, so the tortoise can cool down and rest when it wants.
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Clean soiled areas of the habitat each day and rake and add new hay once each week. Do a complete cleaning of indoor enclosures once per week with a solution of five parts water to one part bleach. Rinse and dry thoroughly before putting your Leopard tortoise back in its habitat.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't offer meat or foods high in protein, which are hard for tortoises to process and can cause serious health problems.
Don't use heat rocks, which often malfunction and cause a bad burn.
Avoid putting the heat source in indoor enclosures too close to the hay due to fire danger. Use a clamp-on light fixture placed at a safe distance.
Always wash your hands after you touch your Leopard tortoise or its habitat to avoid salmonella exposure.
