All of you Leopard Experts - I really need your help asap! My son has a 2-year-old leopard tort who stays with him at his dad's house. The standard of care is not very high (I have offered countless times to help, without success). I just learned that the tort (Slader) was outside in the backyard all day, and now they can't find him. We live in LA, and the sun has just set. Slader was not in an enclosure, and the backyard is pretty large, but I believe it is fenced all around. My son (11-years-old) is quite upset, and I tried to reassure him by saying that Slader probably has buried himself to sleep and stay warm. (I don't know if that's true or not as I have a baby greek tort and I know that she likes to be buried most of the day/night; but I don't know if Leopards engage in the same behavior).
So here are my questions:
1. Was I wrong in my statement to my son that Slader probably buried himself?
2. Is it possible that Slader can get through the night okay? Tonight's low in my part of LA is 55 degrees, and tomorrow's high is only 68 degrees (same as today). It was sunny today, but a bit cold (by LA standards), so I'm worried that Slader was cold even during the day, and thus the overnight temperature drop may be problematic.
I can't answer detailed questions about the backyard, the type of fence, or whether other animals were in the backyard with Slader. I am trying to get those details now.
I would be most grateful for any advice, similar experiences, etc. you can provide, so I can be more educated and prepared as this situation unfolds.
Thanks very much!
Best,
Kristina
So here are my questions:
1. Was I wrong in my statement to my son that Slader probably buried himself?
2. Is it possible that Slader can get through the night okay? Tonight's low in my part of LA is 55 degrees, and tomorrow's high is only 68 degrees (same as today). It was sunny today, but a bit cold (by LA standards), so I'm worried that Slader was cold even during the day, and thus the overnight temperature drop may be problematic.
I can't answer detailed questions about the backyard, the type of fence, or whether other animals were in the backyard with Slader. I am trying to get those details now.
I would be most grateful for any advice, similar experiences, etc. you can provide, so I can be more educated and prepared as this situation unfolds.
Thanks very much!
Best,
Kristina