Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 2-3" CB leopard seems to sleep all day, having only short periods of activeness to eat and look for water.
My 3-4" CB sulcata is a maniac tortois that doesn't seem to slow down except to eat and drink.
I know there is a size difference, but, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, the sulcata seems to have an unending appetite, while the leopards hunger is satisfied in a few minutes. Both have good weight, and eat every time they are fed, but the sulcata seems to be so much stronger and more active.
Both tortoises were taken to the vet for antbiotic shots for runny noses when I first got them 2-3 months ago. Both were quarentined for 1 months, now they live together. Both seem very healthy, is the leopard just too young still or what.
I don't Know their exact ages. Any advice or thoughts appreciated

np

The two species are from intersecting areas of the same place, Africa. They wre from the same breeder, in the same pens. They have both been cleared by my vet as far as medical conditions.
"Seperate them before you kill them both off" is not answering my inquiry into the activity levels of each tortoise. There has been no noticable change in behavior of either one since purchase, except for runny nose going away.
My tortoises don't mind each other, even are considered friendly, since they sleep, eat, and explore together. When I take one outside, the other runs around the cage looking for him, till I take the other outside, where they instantly find each other.
THE QUESTION IS," ARE BABY LEOPARDS LESS ACTIVE THAN BABY SULCATAS?"

leopards are more reserved than sulcatas and are very much less active as a rule. Both have similar if not the same requirements but in a confined space the Sulcata will out compete the leopard. This can lead to stress in the leopard which can lead to the decline of the leopard. Now, if you have a good amount of grazing space and you eliminate the competition, they can get along just fine but it is not usually recomended.
Ed

They are both in a 1000g tank, that has multiple hiding and basking spots, 1/2 is planted with mixed grasses and dandelions, the other half is about 8" of sand/dirt for digging(there are about 3 burrows already dug). A 12" nursery saucer assures both have access to water. Like I said before, They pretty much hang out together, Even getting what could only be seperation anxiety when they are apart.
Maybe I'll put up an invisible barrier for a few months while the leopard builds up strength?!
They both are fed grasses, varieties of dandelions, and opuntia cactus. Once in a while I give them some store greens, but they both prefer their regular foods.
As long as I can get their strength levels somewhat even, why should there be a problem with them both in the same cage? When they are full grown, I'm not going to have two backyards for them, so why not start them together.
BTW- my backyard is already starting to be landscaped into an African Savannah/Grassland environment, complete with deep burrows and Sulcata-proof rock walls, so it will be grown and ready for them in a couple years.

The first 4 or 5 years is where the problems start. The Sulcata can be aggressive and usually are. The leopard, on the other hand, is usually timid. As long as you are watching them closely you can get away with it but you have to watch the leopard closely. That is the one that has the potential to suffer. That does not mean that it will. It just means that the potential is there. There are many people who have successfully kept the 2 species together with no problems at all even though it is not recomended by some.
Ed

I have had both species and I will tell you Sulcatas are definitly more active than Leopards. Of course like you mention there is a size difference and that plays an important factor. Also is it recommended not to keep both species together but if you are not having any problems the press on. I hope this helps you - HerpFauna Plus...

My leapord runs around all the time.He isnt stressed out in the least.The little guy eats outa my hand.I would hate to see your little guy get stressed out and sick....Paul.

Paul, I didn't mean to jump down your throat or anything. I just wanted to hear about the activeness of the two species as babies. Like I said, my leopard is about 2 or so inches, and I can only assume that when I first got it, it was less than 1 month out of the egg. My sulcata is in the 3-4 inch range, and from what I've read here and elsewhere could be anywhere up to and maybe a little over 1 year. I pulled a Bobo and didnTask when I bought them. However, both animals have more than doubled in weight since I got them, so its not that the leopard is stressed out and not eating, its just that (RELATIVELY) it doesn't seem as active as the sulcata.
FWIW-I have two carpet pythons(jungle/queensland), two horned frogs(chacoan/argentine), a 50g tankfull of firebellied toads, and a 4' nile monitor, plus my two torts. These are all display animals that only get handled when I take them outside to feed, which is never done by hand. All of these animals are hand tame and can be picked up, except the frogs of course, but my thinking is the less handling the better for the herp. If I want to pet and cuddle something, I have Samson my golden retreiver.