Leopard tortoise reputable source in California

[Sheri Lynne]

I’m hoping to find a reputable leopard breeder here in California. I would prefer going to pick the tort out myself and bring home rather than having it shipped. I live in central California between Sacramento and the Bay Area—work in the Bay. People can claim what they want but I trust the folks here to guide me. I have a good area outside but if it’s a hatchling will have my guy build it a table until safe to be outside. Thinking of having him build an outdoor enclosure also so have options. I miss my tortoise and decided I have to have another and I think a leopard would do well in our climate.

 

[Yvonne G]

@Kapidolo Farms has baby leopards for sale.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! Best of luck on your search!! For a baby you’ll want a closed chamber set up, not an open top table, but there are topper options that work for tables too. A few hours in a safe outdoor space is ok for a baby, you’ll want to wait until he’s closer to 10inches before living out the closed chamber.

Hopefully you find this thread helpful, this covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, stores often sell the wrong stuff so double check here), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes different closed chamber options, some work better than others, well sealed vivs are a good choice

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they help and you like them! Sorry for your previous loss!

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

I’m hoping to find a reputable leopard breeder here in California. I would prefer going to pick the tort out myself and bring home rather than having it shipped. I live in central California between Sacramento and the Bay Area—work in the Bay. People can claim what they want but I trust the folks here to guide me. I have a good area outside but if it’s a hatchling will have my guy build it a table until safe to be outside. Thinking of having him build an outdoor enclosure also so have options. I miss my tortoise and decided I have to have another and I think a leopard would do well in our climate.

Leopards are great but there are two types, and they are like Lays chips you will want more and more

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

@Kapidolo Farms has baby leopards for sale.

Ask him to post both prices I'm looking for one of the large ones please

 

[Sheri Lynne]

Hello! Best of luck on your search!! For a baby you’ll want a closed chamber set up, not an open top table, but there are topper options that work for tables too. A few hours in a safe outdoor space is ok for a baby, you’ll want to wait until he’s closer to 10inches before living out the closed chamber.

Hopefully you find this thread helpful, this covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, stores often sell the wrong stuff so double check here), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes different closed chamber options, some work better than others, well sealed vivs are a good choice

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they help and you like them! Sorry for your previous loss!

 

[Sheri Lynne]

Thank you!! It’s been over 20 years since I had a baby and things have changed a lot! I wouldn’t have the table open because I have cats and don’t want them messing with my tort. I appreciate the guidance and will check these out.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thank you!! It’s been over 20 years since I had a baby and things have changed a lot! I wouldn’t have the table open because I have cats and don’t want them messing with my tort. I appreciate the guidance and will check these out.

Oh yeas, there is a bunch of new information. Check out this thread, it is meant for new keepers but I think it is also good for those who have done their research years ago: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/info-for-new-people-please-read-this-first.202363/

 

[Tom]

Thank you!! It’s been over 20 years since I had a baby and things have changed a lot! I wouldn’t have the table open because I have cats and don’t want them messing with my tort. I appreciate the guidance and will check these out.

Be careful! Almost nobody starts babies correctly and it is very likely to end in heartbreak if you buy a poorly started baby from the wrong source, which is almost all of them. The aforementioned Kapidolofarms.com is one of the RIGHT sources and you will get a healthy well started baby from Will. If you want the South African type of leopard which gets a little larger, is more bold and outgoing, and does well in our climate here in CA, contact Chris and Amber over at @Rodriguez Chelonians You will get a healthy well started baby from them too.

 

[Markw84]

@NorCal tortoise guy has leopards and is closer to you just north of Sacramento. Message him to see what he has available. He definitely starts his properly as well.

 

[Tom]

@NorCal tortoise guy has leopards and is closer to you just north of Sacramento. Message him to see what he has available. He definitely starts his properly as well.

Thank you for the reminder. I forgot that Aaron was breeding leopards too.