TyoteeT
New Member
Hello!
I made a post here a few weeks back about a Russian/Herrmans/Greek enclosure but between now and then I found the Leopard Tortoise and absolutely fell in love with its colors, personality, and above all it's size! Everything about it seems to be amazing, but before I move forward I do have a few small questions specifically about raising one of these in an environment where it gets cold for many months of the year.
As a preface, I have read this post front to back (https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threa...se-a-sulcata-leopard-or-star-tortoise.181503/) and am so grateful for all the other posts about Leopard Tortoises on this forum. It's even helped me to find the perfect enclosure while it's still a baby, a clear greenhouse enclosure on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CBB7FYU/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20) , and I have a lot of other supplies lined up that have been recommended by Leopard keepers. I currently live in an apartment, but that housing should be changing within 2 or so years so I will have ample space for the Leopard. (I will also be purchasing from Tortoise Supply once the enclosure is fully setup, please let me know if they are reputable).
However, being from Northen Utah means that our winters are brisk and long. I understand how to feed them, but does anyone else have a leopard or sulcata or whatnot in Northern Utah? If so, when they grow to a larger size and need an outdoor enclosure how would I need to prepare one that lasts throughout the winter? I like to think I'm pretty resourceful, so I'll do whatever required to provide a good enclosure.
Also humidity, is it enough to plant some plants in the tank and spray it down once or twice a day to maintain the humidity, or is there a better way to ensure ~80% humidity in the enclosure?
Finally, what are some personality things I should be aware of when raising a Leopard Tortoise? This will be my first tortoise, and I want to make sure I am raising it correctly. I usually go to work from 9-3, do tortoises do well with long periods of no one being home? On the flip side, can I occasionally reach in and pet the tortoise, or softly scratch it's shell with a brush? Sorry for the barrage of questions, I just want my tortoise to live a long and happy life.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! After months of planning and research I finally feel ready to dive in, and I am unbelievably excited.
I made a post here a few weeks back about a Russian/Herrmans/Greek enclosure but between now and then I found the Leopard Tortoise and absolutely fell in love with its colors, personality, and above all it's size! Everything about it seems to be amazing, but before I move forward I do have a few small questions specifically about raising one of these in an environment where it gets cold for many months of the year.
As a preface, I have read this post front to back (https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threa...se-a-sulcata-leopard-or-star-tortoise.181503/) and am so grateful for all the other posts about Leopard Tortoises on this forum. It's even helped me to find the perfect enclosure while it's still a baby, a clear greenhouse enclosure on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CBB7FYU/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20) , and I have a lot of other supplies lined up that have been recommended by Leopard keepers. I currently live in an apartment, but that housing should be changing within 2 or so years so I will have ample space for the Leopard. (I will also be purchasing from Tortoise Supply once the enclosure is fully setup, please let me know if they are reputable).
However, being from Northen Utah means that our winters are brisk and long. I understand how to feed them, but does anyone else have a leopard or sulcata or whatnot in Northern Utah? If so, when they grow to a larger size and need an outdoor enclosure how would I need to prepare one that lasts throughout the winter? I like to think I'm pretty resourceful, so I'll do whatever required to provide a good enclosure.
Also humidity, is it enough to plant some plants in the tank and spray it down once or twice a day to maintain the humidity, or is there a better way to ensure ~80% humidity in the enclosure?
Finally, what are some personality things I should be aware of when raising a Leopard Tortoise? This will be my first tortoise, and I want to make sure I am raising it correctly. I usually go to work from 9-3, do tortoises do well with long periods of no one being home? On the flip side, can I occasionally reach in and pet the tortoise, or softly scratch it's shell with a brush? Sorry for the barrage of questions, I just want my tortoise to live a long and happy life.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! After months of planning and research I finally feel ready to dive in, and I am unbelievably excited.