SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
I have a female leopard tortoise that I purchased as a hatchling in 2012. I would like to know what specific classification of leopard tortoise she is.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Leopard Tortoise Classification Identification ?
- Thread starter SweetGreekTorts
- Start date
Not a south african, so just a plain old leopard.
All I can tell you is that is is not a "pure" SA leopard. Other than that, it could be a mix, or pure variety of any other type. People in this country have been mixing all the different types of leopards since the 60s.
Whatever type it is, you done a good job with her and she looks great.
On another note, she looks a little on the small side to know the sex. Are you sure about that?
Whatever type it is, you done a good job with her and she looks great.
On another note, she looks a little on the small side to know the sex. Are you sure about that?
I was wonder too. How do you know it's a female? She looks quite small for her age.
SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
Here's a belly shot. I'm guessing she's a female with the small tail and plastron forming more of the "V" shape. But maybe she's still too young to confirm?
It's beak is a bit overgrown. An exotic vet can fix that...probably female but it's too small still. My male was 10 inches straight line length at 5 years. Fales are usually bigger. They do all grow at different stages but I do think yours is on the small side with only minor pyramiding. Perhaps it's beak is making it hard for it to eat? If you read more on here you can find more of a variety of food to feed it. Original formula Mazuri for tortoises(not LS) is wonderful for packing on the pounds. It has plenty of vitamins and minerals and plant based materials to help with the variety issue.... AND TORTOISES LOVE IT
SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I already have a vet appt for a beak trim next week. She eats a lot. I give her a variety of mixed dark leafy greens (no kale) for breakfast every morning and she gets Mazuri (not the LS one) twice a week with hay flakes mixed into it. The top part of her carapace just seems to grow faster, which looks like pyramiding to me, but her shell is mostly smooth all over. I'm keeping an eye on it. Thanks!
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Kale is actually a great addition to a varied diet. Mine have grown remarkably well getting kale regularly
SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
Thanks! I'll be sure to add it to her breakfast. I have a variety of species and most of the others should not have kale, so I just feed everyone collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, and supplement with the Mazuri. But I will buy kale just for her.
They also each have grass, weeds (from tortoise "seed mixes" I buy online), and plants (hibiscus, aloe vera, etc) in their individual outdoor pens. Lots of food options.
Cactus pads are a favorite and easy to grow!
SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I've got a spineless prickly pear growing in a corner of my yard (blocked from view of my two huge sulcatas), but I barely planted it a few months ago. It's growing so in another month or two I should be able to start pulling pads off to cut up and feed.
Nursemomzie
Member
She's beautiful!
SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
Thanks! She's my first and only leopard so far, and one of my first tortoises. Doing my best to spoil her along with all her "shelled" siblings.
Nursemomzie
Member
She looks like she has a great life! I have a baby leopard. She's only about 9 weeks old. I hope she is as pretty as yours when she gets older!
