Subspecies & is my tort a fatty?!

KT1

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Hi all,
Can someone please tell me if my leopard tortoise is a S. pardalis babcock or S. parasails pardalis?

I was told he/she is a S. pardalis babcock, but after seeing pictures of other leopard tortoises at one year, I feel like my little guy is really big.

Albee (my tort) is one year old, 6” long, and weighs 680 grams.
Is this a “normal” weight and size for this age?

Many thanks
Katie
 

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wellington

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The PP leopards have two dots on their scutes and very freckled skin and not many breed pure PP leopards.
The Babcockis that are available now, are pretty much a mix too.
Yours is beautiful.
My Bab baby is 3 years 9 months and is 6 pounds 8 oz. And 10 inches long.
I'd say yours is about right, maybe a little on the larger side.
They all grow differently, so as long as always growing then it's good.
 

Quick

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Thank you!

So, I’m not raising Andre the Giant leopard tort?
Well, s/he loves to eat, and when the food plate is empty, I swear s/he sits on that plate stomping his feet until more food appears!!?
Mine does exactly the same!! Honestly, she’s super greedy (assuming mine is female here but of course we don’t know!) and she would eat all day long if I let her … I agree with the comments. All tortoises grow at different rates so please don’t worry - we obviously have two very greedy Leopards ??

Ps. Your tortoise is beautiful. And you’re doing a wonderful job achieving such a smooth and well hydrated shell. Keep up the great work ?
 

KT1

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LOL! Thank you!

I guess it's good. When I hear him stomping around on his food dish I know it's time for more food and I can get it before he goes after his plants!
I've had to replace some very lovely plants! :D
 

TaylorTortoise

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This is an amazing leopard breed. What is the babcockis breed?
Does this breed stay typically smaller than other leopards?
 

KT1

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I think I know the answer to this…?
The leopard tortoise has to sub species.
The S. pardalis babcock is smaller than the S. parasails pardalis.
 

wellington

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I think I know the answer to this…?
The leopard tortoise has to sub species.
The S. pardalis babcock is smaller than the S. parasails pardalis.
The size you do have correct.
The two sub species used to be correct, but I think that has now changed. So much cross breeding of the two sub species. I think unless they are known South African Leopards from a reputable breeder that is known to not cross breed the two, then it's basically mutt leopards and South African leopards.
I think
@Tom can explain it better.
 

Chefdenoel10

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Thank you!

So, I’m not raising Andre the Giant leopard tort?
Well, s/he loves to eat, and when the food plate is empty, I swear s/he sits on that plate stomping his feet until more food appears!!?

We need pictures/ or video of that
Pleeeeease!!!? ?
 

Chefdenoel10

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Mine does exactly the same!! Honestly, she’s super greedy (assuming mine is female here but of course we don’t know!) and she would eat all day long if I let her … I agree with the comments. All tortoises grow at different rates so please don’t worry - we obviously have two very greedy Leopards ??

Ps. Your tortoise is beautiful. And you’re doing a wonderful job achieving such a smooth and well hydrated shell. Keep up the great work ?

Lol… ok..
We need video of yours stomping his little feet tooooo!!!!! ?
 
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