A quick question

[paschallraschalls]

How long would the ground (enclosure) need to be fallow/empty before a different breed of tortoise could be housed there, without fear of passing on disease?
Thanks!

 

[Tom]

I'd say this depends on the species and the individual torts history. If it was a captive bred leopard that you got as a hatchling and its never had contact with any other torts, I say the risk was pretty minimal after a few months. If, however, you had a group of wild caught russians in there, I wouldn't put a leopard in there even years later. Some parasite eggs can encyst and live dormant in the ground for years, even through hot summers and freezing winters. You could also do a fecal check to see what, if anything, the previous tenants were shedding.

I'd PM ExoticsDR and link this thread for him. I'm just some guy who keeps a few tortoises. He's a real live tortoise vet!

 

[paschallraschalls]

Thanks