New leopard tortoise fam in so cal

[SoCalRyan]

Grandpa (my dad) surprised my daughters with 2 leapard torts. Have had them about 2 weeks. Don't know how old they are. The smaller one is 43 grams (1.5 oz) the larger one is 83 grams (3 oz). The smaller one has taken to the new home very quickly no problems eating. Very active. The larger one is very shy and timid and i haven't seen it eat but I'm pretty sure it is when we aren't around. I might separate them just to make sure that it is eating. Looking forward to learning as much as I can here. Thanks in advance for any tips and tricks.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome. What part of SoCal are you in? I'm near Magic Mountain in SCV.

It would definitely be a good idea to separate them. They should never be kept in pairs, especially with such a size discrepancy.

Most of the care info for these guys is wrong and it has been parroted for the last 30+ years. Only recently have some of us figured it out. Check these out:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

This was written for sulcatas, so a bit less emphasis on the grass for a leopard, but the list of stuff is good for a leopard:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[SoCalRyan]

Hello and welcome. What part of SoCal are you in? I'm near Magic Mountain in SCV.

It would definitely be a good idea to separate them. They should never be kept in pairs, especially with such a size discrepancy.

Most of the care info for these guys is wrong and it has been parroted for the last 30+ years. Only recently have some of us figured it out. Check these out:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

This was written for sulcatas, so a bit less emphasis on the grass for a leopard, but the list of stuff is good for a leopard:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Farther south about a half hour from Disneyland. Thanks for all the info. Definitely learning a lot and making changes to the enclosure and care as we go. 2 weeks into a lifetime hobby. Long way to go, but excited.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Welcome and congrats!

 

[SoCalRyan]

Hello and welcome. What part of SoCal are you in? I'm near Magic Mountain in SCV.

It would definitely be a good idea to separate them. They should never be kept in pairs, especially with such a size discrepancy.

Most of the care info for these guys is wrong and it has been parroted for the last 30+ years. Only recently have some of us figured it out. Check these out:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

This was written for sulcatas, so a bit less emphasis on the grass for a leopard, but the list of stuff is good for a leopard:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Finally had some time to build a separate enclosure for my two leopards. Since my last post I have seen the larger/shy one eat(not much). Still haven't seen it poop. I'm hoping once it figures out its alone it will start to eat more. It does get active when it is soaking. Eyes are clear. No snot bubbles. Seems hydrated and does move well when it doesn't have his head buried in the substrate. I know it's still young and its naturally going to hide a lot, but I would love to see it eat more. Now that its separated I'll know for sure. Humidity around 80 most of the day. Gotta get a temp gun to figure out the basking area.

 

[orv]

Tortoises often bring inexperienced, older babies into this earth. When they arrive in relatively good condition, to our world we throw our hands up and celebrate. The` beginnings seen stressful to we mere hybans

 

[RosemaryDW]

Welcome from another Southern California member!

 

[Brandi]

Welcome to our great tortoise family ! I too live in SoCal upland with my leopard
Whereabouts are you ?

 

[Brandi]

Say is there a way to “chip” or ID my leopard just in case he gets out ?

 

[Yvonne G]

Yes, however it's not common here in the states so probably won't be scanned for if found.

 

[Brandi]

Thanks Yvonne G for the insight, Much appreciated ! So any ideas as to proof of ownership.... pics are all I can think of but that still could be speculative I suppose

 

[Gillian M]

Welcome to the forum.

Cute little torts. God bless.

 

[SoCalRyan]

Welcome to the forum.

Cute little torts. God bless.

Thanks, God bless

 

[SoCalRyan]

Welcome to our great tortoise family ! I too live in SoCal upland with my leopard
Whereabouts are you ?

Corona, close to orange county

 

[Brandi]

.... and I am in upland with my leopard!