Leopard Tortoise

[Lincoln's Mom]

Good morning all my name is Laura! Just recently (yesterday) got a young Leopard Tortoise from someone that had purchased it for a child. It was not being taken care of properly. I had been thinking of getting a tortoise and it just fell into place. The previous owner gave me a small table and i purchased a few things as well. Any advise is appreciated i have been reading anything and every thing i can find online. We are in central Alabama.
thanks in advance guys and gals!

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello Laura

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome!

Here is the requested advice:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

The open table is going to make things very difficult for you and the new baby. Its all explained in the thread. Do not let this tortoise get cold at night.

I typed this one up for sulcatas, but if you skip the text and scroll down a bit, there is a nice list of good foods. Regular leopards don't need all that grass like a sulcata does.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[hingeback]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum, Laura!

I know the pictures and info on "closed chambers" can be a little daunting, but there are other ways to provide the closed habitat. I have my lights on stands and not clamped onto the side of the enclosure. In this way, it allows me to cover the enclosure with either foil or plastic. This has worked well for me. Here's a picture of the plastic covered baby habitat:

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome Laura !

 

[Lincoln's Mom]

Thanks guys! Just ran to the store while on my lunch break from work to buy cuttlebone, calcium supplement, and the red night time light bulb (Lincoln came with a dual lamp but both lights are UV). Thanks to Toms recommended read list!