Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are Leopard Tortoises hard to keep? I've been looking for some care sheets and it seems to me that their food requirements are hard to meet (maybe it's because i've never heard of so many types of grasses and don't know where to get them). If anyone has a leopard could youplease tell me what you feed it and also substrate and temp's for an indoor pen.Thanks

I have a leopard for 5 months now so I can only give you information I have read about them. It is so funny that you said that about the grasses because I have posted so many times "PLEASE TELL ME SOMETHING THAT I CAN FEED MY LEOPARD THAT I CAN BUY IN A LOCAL GROCERY STORE" After many months of still not knowing "exactly" what is the best thing for them-I found out that you can not go wrong with a variety diet. I feed my leopard Spring Mix letture (local grocery store) small tomatoes, timothy hay, and some dandelions. He also have alfalfa (sp?) in his cage that I have caught him munching on every once in awhile.

The temperatures for mine-and if anyone disagrees please voice your opinion it only helps me too~On one side I have a basking light with temperatures around 90 and on the other side I keep his hide (which is a must have-he loves it) and it stays around 75. I have a big uvb light on the whole cage.

I soak him every other day in luke warm water for about 10 minutes. He likes to drink from it and then poop in it!

As far as "hard to keep" I really can't help you-I have heard that they are a little harder to keep, but I think next to the Indian Star-they are the most beautiful. He/She is super friendly and eats from my hand. It is so cute and I haven't had any problems.

I hope I was at least a little bit of help! Good Luck!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! Based on your answer I'm going to do more research and get one!!

Email me directly and I'll send you a copy of an article I wrote for Reptiles magazine.
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care