Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been lookin at both leopard and sulcata tortoises. As far as i can tell they both grow to about the same size and have similar care requirements. I like the carapace pattern on leopards but they also cost alot more.
Hoping you guys could share some of your knowledge and experiences and help me with my decision.
Thanks for your help

Sulcatas get a lot large than leopards. They get so large that they are unmanagable for some keepers.
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Tim Madsen

Nobody cares how much you know,
Until they know how much you care.

Tim is right, sulcatas get ALOT bigger then leo's. Second, if the initial purchase price is at all a concern, a tort is probably not for you. The one thing that all torts have in common is that they are not "cheap" pets to keep. I wont lecture you to death but large enclosures, lighting, heating bla blah blah gets expensive. Not to mention outdoor summer enclosures ect! Do you homework on these torts BEFORE you get one!!!

Anyway here is the lodown. Sulcatas get BIG, wait HUGE rather. THey both have about the same temp/humidity/dietary requiremants. Generally sulcatas are usually considered more hardy, and personable then leo's. That being said I absloutely love my Leo and don't find her too difficult to care for (but she is still quite expensive even after initial set up costs).

My reccomendation is simple. Do your homework and get what you think you can handle (if you want your furniture rearranged then get a sulcata). I always reccomend redfoots and any of the smaller torts (russians, greeks, hermanns, ect...). Redfoots have great personalaties and have less strict dietary requirements (they can eat some fruit).

Good luck....

-Ian

P.S. hope this doesn't seem to harsh, it isn't meant to be...

I would like to add something to what has been said. To make things easier for you in the long run, I would choose a tortoise that has the same basic type of wheather in its natural range that you have where you live, then go from there, because eventually you'll have to keep sulcatas (and a lot of torts) outdoors. So a naturally humid area, for example Florida or the east coast, may wreak havoc on sulcatas and leopards over the long haul and may not be the best choice for you. I live in the desert southwest in Arizona, so I was thinking sulcatas and leopards as well, but then went with our naturally occuring torts, the desert tortoise (legally adopted, of course). Being from this area, my desert torts can be kept outdoors all year long, and can eat naturally occuring plants and vegetation right in my backyard. It makes it easy for both the tortoise and myself, and I don't put any obligatory stress on the guy. I'm not saying you can't keep sulcatas and leopards in humidity (if thats where your from; hopefully you get my point), it's just a lot more tricky and difficult for the keeper, especially someone knew to torts. Just my two cents.

I had been lookin at leopards for quite awhile and know their requirements and i will continue to research for at least a month before i buy any reptile. I have kept plenty of reptiles, including a few turtles (box turtles, redeared sliders)and think that im prepared to own a tortoise. So that aside i was just wondering why leopards seem to be so much more expensive. Price is not a huge deal with me but when i see a price difference that large i wonder what is wrong with the sulcata or what is so special about the leopard. I'm really just having a problem choosing and was hoping you guys could stear me in one direction or another. And i live in Colorado which would be perfect for torts in the summer, but it gets real cold and snowy in the winter.
Thanks for the help

BEcause you live in colorado you will have several months of the year which the tortoise will have to be kept inside. If you have a space where a 70 lb, 24 inch tortoise can knock around and that you can keep adequately heated then a sulcata would probably be fine. A leo may require a bit less space, but will still require alot.

Really you might want to consider a redfoot or one of the smaller torts, you will be able to provide a better life for the animal in the winter. Perhaps a tort that hibernates would be a good idea to think about also...

Good luck, I'm sure you will love whatever you decide to get...

-Ian

Personally, I would forget about the sulcata, but the leopard would probably be doable. The sulcata would be fine as a baby and juvenile, but as adults, that completely different. Have you been to Turtle Homes? They have a lot of real world information about sulcatas, including a sulcata reality check to see if your ready for a sulcata.

http://www.turtlehomes.org/usa/sulcataindex.shtml

I live on the east coast but I have both Sulcatas and Leopards as well as red foots and out of the 3 I recommend the red foot due to personality. I have 3 red foot and I have a blast with them! They aren't not afraid of anything, Very curious and love to chase my dogs (my smallest dog is 65lbs and they r all terrified of the torts.) where as my 5 leos and 5 sulcatas just basiclly sit in one spot hidden in there shells when I take them out (except if their is a nice pile of clover around). Sulcatas eat ALOT! Which is another thing to take into account. and I mean alot I have yet to see a full sulcata. Have fun with which ever you decide!

Casey

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It's simple economics Sulcatas are easy to breed and lay a lot of eggs, so the market is gluted with them. It's supply and demand in the case of both tortoises prices.
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Tim Madsen

Nobody cares how much you know,
Until they know how much you care.