Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have a baby leopard that is about 6 months old, he is in a table with sand/soil substrate, acces to water, has two hides, and a basking spot that is around 95. The rest of his tank is from 85-90. He eats dandelions, grass, clovers,yard plantions, once in awhile collard greens. calcium supplement a few times a week. The problem is he won't wake up! He will sleep the entire day unless I wake him up. Once I wake him up he seems fine. His eyes open easily and he walks around fine but soon goes back to sleep. He will also only eat outdoors. He will not eat in his indoor tank. Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. He used to walk around his tank much more often but the last month or two he hasnt. Thanks again.
Dontabortthetort

Do you have a UVA/B light? If so what type and how old is the bulb?

Yah, I just got a new mega ray light.

Has that helped?
If not try and get him outside more often to get some real sun. I'd also take in a fecal sample to see if something else is going on.

How's the overall lighting of the enclosure? Remember, with most reptiles, if the lighting is just a little too dim, it won't trigger the instinct to wake up and start the day. They are used to having to stay in their burrows on dim days (poor weather conditions=no usable basking spots, etc.).

Also, I had read an article somewhere about over-exposure to UVB. Does the little tort have an area where he/she can get completely away from the mercury vapor bulb?

yeah my new leo. is active when i wake him and soak him for a while. he eats a lot, and is active for a while after. but by mid day, he has dug himself in. there is a uv and heat light, and a basking spot. the hide is on the "cooler" side of the cage, and i have had the baby for 2 days. when i had a baby red foot, it did the same thing, but she woke herself up on her own time. should i let my leo do the same thing? it's eating 80% of the time he's awake. i know babies need a lot of sleep for development, but i just thought i would throw it out there.

thanks a lot for your help.

leave it alone. You can watch it and feed it and give it water but leave it alone. You've provided a great set up. Leave it alone.

Leopards are shy as a rule and seem to not like change.

Tortoises can go weeks without food. Give the little guy/gal time to acclimate. It's not a hamster.

>>Hi, I have a baby leopard that is about 6 months old, he is in a table with sand/soil substrate, acces to water, has two hides, and a basking spot that is around 95. The rest of his tank is from 85-90. He eats dandelions, grass, clovers,yard plantions, once in awhile collard greens. calcium supplement a few times a week. The problem is he won't wake up! He will sleep the entire day unless I wake him up. Once I wake him up he seems fine. His eyes open easily and he walks around fine but soon goes back to sleep. He will also only eat outdoors. He will not eat in his indoor tank. Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. He used to walk around his tank much more often but the last month or two he hasnt. Thanks again.
>>Dontabortthetort
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care