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I have an 8 month old leopard tort. I have been using the green carpeting and was wondering how old he has to be until I switch to a substrate? Also what kind of substrate?
Substrates for leopard tort
- Thread starter alexialawrence
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Like now ! Go to the sulcata section of the forum and read Tom's threads on keeping leopard/sulcata tortoises . Trust me follow what he says and you can't go wrong .
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Yes, please get him on some dirt. Or dirt like substrate asap.
I raise my leopards hot and humid. It's a method that mimics the hot, humid, rainy African season these guys would normally hatch into. It's a natural environment that aids them in growing naturally
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I raise my leopards hot and humid. It's a method that mimics the hot, humid, rainy African season these guys would normally hatch into. It's a natural environment that aids them in growing naturally
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Thank you guys and to Team Gomberg, where do you get your substrate and what is it called? I have heard moist can give leopard a lung infection because they are used to dry climates so I'm confused. Lol
and to Team Gomberg, where do you get your substrate and what is it called? I have heard moist can give leopard a lung infection because they are used to dry climates so I'm confused. Lol
A lot of people like cocoa coir, but it is messy and stinks (IMO)
I bought a HUGE bag of peet moss for the same price and it's going to last at least a year. Bought mine at Lowes
A
African tortoises (all species) are born during the hot and humid time of year. The babies stay in moist and warm dens/burrows. We need to mimic that. When they are adults, they can handle more arid environments. Tom will have more details info, but that's the Cliff Notes.
I bought a HUGE bag of peet moss for the same price and it's going to last at least a year. Bought mine at Lowes
A
African tortoises (all species) are born during the hot and humid time of year. The babies stay in moist and warm dens/burrows. We need to mimic that. When they are adults, they can handle more arid environments. Tom will have more details info, but that's the Cliff Notes.
Re: RE: Substrates for leopard tort
I use plain, untreated top soil. A big bag is cheap at Home Depot. But there are many options available.
Leopard tortoises are not used to dry climates. It's just not true. And they aren't a desert species. Once you learn about their native environment you realize that it is anything but dry. I'm sorry for all the confusion out there. It is really hard on people trying to learn what is best for their shelled buddy when one page of information contradicts another.
You can do 1 of 3 things:
1- research for yourself where they come from and what the environment is like to try and re create conditions based on what you learn
2- learn from the others who have already done #1 and copy our methods once you see the natural, wonderful results it produces
3- continue to do things the unnatural way and your shelled buddy suffers from incorrect conditions (we know you don't want that )
Grab some popcorn, put your feet up and start reading! There is some good information on this forum to fill in all the details
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alexialawrence said:Thank you guys
I use plain, untreated top soil. A big bag is cheap at Home Depot. But there are many options available.
Leopard tortoises are not used to dry climates. It's just not true. And they aren't a desert species. Once you learn about their native environment you realize that it is anything but dry. I'm sorry for all the confusion out there. It is really hard on people trying to learn what is best for their shelled buddy when one page of information contradicts another.
You can do 1 of 3 things:
1- research for yourself where they come from and what the environment is like to try and re create conditions based on what you learn
2- learn from the others who have already done #1 and copy our methods once you see the natural, wonderful results it produces
3- continue to do things the unnatural way and your shelled buddy suffers from incorrect conditions (we know you don't want that
)Grab some popcorn, put your feet up and start reading! There is some good information on this forum to fill in all the details
Sent from my TFOapp
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Thanks a lot guys! Lots of helpful info
The best substrates are cypress mulch, coco coir, orchid bark and regular yard dirt, if yours is suitable. You want something that can be kept damp to help keep humidity higher. They will not get respiratory infections if temperatures are kept up, but they will pyramid if you keep them too dry. These substrates can be purchased in bulk much cheaper at the hardware store.
Here's a couple of threads for you to read:
http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-79895.html
http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-45180.html
Here's a couple of threads for you to read:
http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-79895.html
http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-45180.html
I knew the "heavy hitters" would chime in and post some really good info.
Don't mis-understand me...when I say "arid" I don't me super dry like Death Valley.
I mean you don't need a mature adult kept in a closed chamber that's dripping with humidity.
My adult Sulcata is doing well with 70% RH.
I actually find it quite enjoyable to sit down and watch videos of tortoises in their native environment, read about where each species originates, and look at climate and soil types from that area.
I've been buying out Lowes stock of Sphagnum moss every month now. Love the stuff. Looks great, hold moisture well, and my Greek and Hermanni love to snuggle up in it at night.
Also great for their favorite "afternoon bulldozing" event. They both drag it everywhere.
Don't mis-understand me...when I say "arid" I don't me super dry like Death Valley.
I mean you don't need a mature adult kept in a closed chamber that's dripping with humidity.
My adult Sulcata is doing well with 70% RH.
I actually find it quite enjoyable to sit down and watch videos of tortoises in their native environment, read about where each species originates, and look at climate and soil types from that area.
I've been buying out Lowes stock of Sphagnum moss every month now. Love the stuff. Looks great, hold moisture well, and my Greek and Hermanni love to snuggle up in it at night.
Also great for their favorite "afternoon bulldozing" event. They both drag it everywhere.
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