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Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone babcocki)
We have two sub-adult female leopard tortoises, Amore and Zim, who are both about 7 years old (as of July 2014) and are currently about 12 pounds each. As adults they will eventually reach weights up to 20-30 pounds! They are very curious animals and have an insatiable appetite.
While they are easily kept, they do require a lot of room and will need even more-so as adults. They have specific requirements for heat (80's ambient, 110 basking) and humidity (40% and lower).
One of the most important parts of keeping any tortoise, is proper diet. These animals should not be fed iceberg lettuce with turtle pellets sprinkled on top, nor should they be left to feed solely off tortoise pellets of any brand (though Mazuri diet is extremely close to a complete diet and can be used for up to 75% of their diet without ill effects). They have specific fiber and calcium requirements that, if not met, can cause health issues, bone density problems, shell development problems, and overall unhealthy specimens.
If you're unsure about your animals diet, please pick up a book or Google proper tortoise diet.
Our leopard tortoises live on a varied diet of Bok choy, mustard greens, carrots, romaine lettuce, timothy hay, alfalfa, kale, dandelions, and collard greens, summer squash, cucumber, zucchini, mulberry leaves, and Mazuri diet (only about 25% but it is undoubtedly the best pellet diet on the market for tortoises). As for any animal variety is key and the easiest way to provide not only an enriched lifestyle but also the most ideal way to give them trace nutrients.
Not all tortoises are exactly the same and they should always be monitored for bubbling noses (usually from too high of humidity), worms in their stool (if you bring them grass from outside or let them graze outside), and raised scutes/pyramiding (improper diet and/or humidity).
Tortoises are a joy to keep, but require close attention and proper care to live healthy long lives. Please remember to research any reptile or amphibian before bringing it home! Far too many tortoises are purchased because they are small, cute, and easy to keep as babies but become too much for an unprepared owner to handle as they grow.
While they are easily kept, they do require a lot of room and will need even more-so as adults. They have specific requirements for heat (80's ambient, 110 basking) and humidity (40% and lower).
One of the most important parts of keeping any tortoise, is proper diet. These animals should not be fed iceberg lettuce with turtle pellets sprinkled on top, nor should they be left to feed solely off tortoise pellets of any brand (though Mazuri diet is extremely close to a complete diet and can be used for up to 75% of their diet without ill effects). They have specific fiber and calcium requirements that, if not met, can cause health issues, bone density problems, shell development problems, and overall unhealthy specimens.
If you're unsure about your animals diet, please pick up a book or Google proper tortoise diet.
Our leopard tortoises live on a varied diet of Bok choy, mustard greens, carrots, romaine lettuce, timothy hay, alfalfa, kale, dandelions, and collard greens, summer squash, cucumber, zucchini, mulberry leaves, and Mazuri diet (only about 25% but it is undoubtedly the best pellet diet on the market for tortoises). As for any animal variety is key and the easiest way to provide not only an enriched lifestyle but also the most ideal way to give them trace nutrients.
Not all tortoises are exactly the same and they should always be monitored for bubbling noses (usually from too high of humidity), worms in their stool (if you bring them grass from outside or let them graze outside), and raised scutes/pyramiding (improper diet and/or humidity).
Tortoises are a joy to keep, but require close attention and proper care to live healthy long lives. Please remember to research any reptile or amphibian before bringing it home! Far too many tortoises are purchased because they are small, cute, and easy to keep as babies but become too much for an unprepared owner to handle as they grow.