Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read and read and finally decided on a Leopard Tort. I bought him about a week ago from a local breeder. I also received a tortoise book by Philippe de Vosjoli. I need some advice. He is probably about 2 weeks out of the egg. Last week when i picked him up his belly button was just barely closed. Its not quite dissapeared yet but close. I have him on paper towel right now. He has tried to eat paper towel and the off white carpet in my room. Because of this i already put the greens in there but no eating yet. I have a heat mat under one quarter of the plastic tub. The temp over the mat is 95. The ambient temps are between 75 and about 85. He is active and he also sleeps alot with his arms and legs streched out. I hope i have given you enough info to help. I know how serious it could be if he was to eat carpet or paper so dont fret i have been very cautious. What do you guys think. If he's attempted to eat other things wouldnt that mean hes probably ready to eat? I have observed him drinking from his dish. Why do you think hes not going for the greens? Thanks for being there. What a resource this forum is!

You don't really need the heat mat. What you do need is overhead heat (ceramic heat emiter or a regular light bulb, depending on what you're using for UVB) and some kind of UVB lighting (mercury vapor bulb, which will also provide heat, or a Reptisun 5.0). Tortoises bask under a heat source, so overhead heat is important for them. The UVB is critical; your tortoise can't metabolize calcium without it and will develop serious, if not fatal, bone problems.

It will take him a while to settle in, and if he just absorbed his yolk, he may not eat right away. Provide the greens and eventually he will eat. What are you feeding him? Also, what kind of enclosure do you have for him?
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

I went to the pet store since the last post. I have placed timothy hay in his enclosure. He has been nibbling on that now as i am writing i see him chowing on the dandelion greens too. I guess i spoke too soon. I will correct the heating situation tomorrow. I have been looking for just the right plastic box. So to answer your question i bought him hay, dandelion greens, and a tiny bit of nopales. He has been in a 2x2 plastic box for the first week. I will put him in a larger storage box asap, and attach the lights. I appreciate your help. Wow he is ripping through his food now. I could watch him for hours. My snakes are definitely taking the back seat for awhile.
ZPD