Leopard Tortoise

[Ashley_Sheldon]

Hi ! I've heard that leopard tortoises are very much similar to sulcatas and im actually thinking about buying one because they look so fascinating ! I fell in love with the babies haha would they get along just fine as babies ? If they are both males as adults i will obviously separate them especially if i see some tension between them at an early age . Someone tell me if this is not a good idea so i dont get all worked up for nothing haha

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Not a good idea. Together. Nopey-no. It's their demeanor. Apples and oranges. Sulcatas are awesome but they are "their own man" and leopards are generally more Zen. The bully factor may come into play and the bully factor is not always obvious, sometimes its rather telepathic and one tortoise will suffer from the stress. The bully factor has killed some tortoises. Sad. Now, separate enclosures/habitats, alrighty then. But that is double expense and if you plan for that, yes, go for it! Feed-wise, they are pretty much the same foods. Both are awesome tortoises in their own individual species ways. Together, these two, no way. : )

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Personally, I would not house sulcatas with leopards.

There are those who hold the opinion of not mixing based on disease possibilities. I don't fully understand the details in this reason with sullies and leopards but despite that I have other reasons why I'd never do it.
First, I don't keep torts in pairs. Either alone or in a group. You mention housing 2. One of each.
Second, the behavior of these species (even as babies) is enough reason for me to keep them separate.

There are some who do mix these 2. I would not choose to and I recommend against it if sometimes asks my opinion on it (you did).

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

Not a good idea. Together. Nopey-no. It's their demeanor. Apples and oranges. Sulcatas are awesome but they are "their own man" and leopards are generally more Zen. The bully factor may come into play and the bully factor is not always obvious, sometimes its rather telepathic and one tortoise will suffer from the stress. The bully factor has killed some tortoises. Sad. Now, separate enclosures/habitats, alrighty then. But that is double expense and if you plan for that, yes, go for it! Feed-wise, they are pretty much the same foods. Both are awesome tortoises in their own individual species ways. Together, these two, no way. : )

Thanks for his great info ! I might get a leopard tortoise in a desperate enclosure but this is not a big chance of it but thanks once again

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Personally, I would not house sulcatas with leopards.

There are those who hold the opinion of not mixing based on disease possibilities. I don't fully understand the details in this reason with sullies and leopards but despite that I have other reasons why I'd never do it.
First, I don't keep torts in pairs. Either alone or in a group. You mention housing 2. One of each.
Second, the behavior of these species (even as babies) is enough reason for me to keep them separate.

There are some who do mix these 2. I would not choose to and I recommend against it if sometimes asks my opinion on it (you did).

This was very helpful , thanks ! Like i stated before , I might get a leopard in a separate enclosure but this isnt a huge chance but thanks for this !

 

[Yvonne G]

I like to keep babies together. When you have more than one it helps them eat better (competition for the food). As long as you keep in mind that when they grow they may start to pick on each other and you might have to separate them.

 

[Saleama]

I kept mine together for the first three months. I just watched them. As soon as I started noticing signs of possible bullying (for lack of a better term, it isn't really bullying) I put up a barrier. I had this option always in place and my babies are only six months old now, but the Sullies got much bigger MUCH FASTER than the leos. Now everybody is happy in their own areas until the spring when they will all be seperated in the back yard.

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

I like to keep babies together. When you have more than one it helps them eat better (competition for the food). As long as you keep in mind that when they grow they may start to pick on each other and you might have to separate them.

Ok thank you i am reconsidering the leopard now ;D

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I kept mine together for the first three months. I just watched them. As soon as I started noticing signs of possible bullying (for lack of a better term, it isn't really bullying) I put up a barrier. I had this option always in place and my babies are only six months old now, but the Sullies got much bigger MUCH FASTER than the leos. Now everybody is happy in their own areas until the spring when they will all be seperated in the back yard.

Wow thanks ! Its great to know other people stories about this so I can kinda get an interest in what I want to do ! I want to get a leopard a lot more now thanks !

 

[Levi the Leopard]

I've shared my opinion but since you are leaning toward doing it, I'd like you to remember a very important factor.
If (I prefer to say when) your sulcata and "new" leopard don't do well together, will you then find the room for separate enclosures? Or will you sell one?
You mention that you didn't have room to get one and keep it separate.
Anyone who keeps multiple Torts needs to be prepared for separation. That means setting up a full second enclosure.

 

[Tom]

Species should not be mixed. Too many disease risks as well as behavioral incompatibility. Remember that one tortoise does not actually have to "do" anything for the other to feel stressed its presence.

Talk to any chameleon keeper about visual stressors and what they can do.

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

I've shared my opinion but since you are leaning toward doing it, I'd like you to remember a very important factor.
If (I prefer to say when) your sulcata and "new" leopard don't do well together, will you then find the room for separate enclosures? Or will you sell one?
You mention that you didn't have room to get one and keep it separate.
Anyone who keeps multiple Torts needs to be prepared for separation. That means setting up a full second enclosure.

I will never sell a tortoise . I dont recall saying i dont have room but yes if they dont do well together then i will put him in a separate enclosure . Thank you for your concern

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Species should not be mixed. Too many disease risks as well as behavioral incompatibility. Remember that one tortoise does not actually have to "do" anything for the other to feel stressed its presence.

Talk to any chameleon keeper about visual stressors and what they can do.

Thank once again Tom ! So helpful in so many topics ! I'll be sure to try and find a chameleon keeper !

 

[Tom]

I had a couple of chameleons housed side by side, but with a solid visual barrier between the enclosures. I decided to rearrange the room and move one enclosure across the room. For days BOTH chameleons went off food with one displaying the "angry" territorial colors and the other displaying the stressed submissive colors. Just the sight of another chameleon across the room, both in heavily planted enclosures, was enough to stress both of them enough to not want to eat. Tortoises sometimes do the same things, but they don't change colors, make noises, or show facial expressions like a mammal to display their displeasure at a situation.

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

I had a couple of chameleons housed side by side, but with a solid visual barrier between the enclosures. I decided to rearrange the room and move one enclosure across the room. For days BOTH chameleons went off food with one displaying the "angry" territorial colors and the other displaying the stressed submissive colors. Just the sight of another chameleon across the room, both in heavily planted enclosures, was enough to stress both of them enough to not want to eat. Tortoises sometimes do the same things, but they don't change colors, make noises, or show facial expressions like a mammal to display their displeasure at a situation.

Oh wow hats so interesting and yeah tortoises dont haha thanks