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I live in southern California and am trying to decide between a Redfoot and Leopard tortoise. Whichever I choose will be a single tortoise in a 9 x 11 outdoor enclosure with various greens planted. He/she will have a smaller indoor enclosure in case of inclimate weather. He/she will also have access to a large yard with a vegetable garden and various grasses for supervised romps.

Based on the climate in southern California it sounds like a Leopard is the wiser choice but I would be interested in some feedback. Realistically, would it be much more difficult to establish proper humidity and temperatures for a redfoot? I'd like to choose whichever species would be happier and best suited to our area and I'm fond of both.

Please excuse my login name - I established this account when we rescued a baby pocket gopher from his washed out burrow during last winter's rains.

TIA for all your help!

I often wish that I lived in the Southwest instead of the Southeast, so I wouldn't have to bring in my stars at night (because of humidity).

Were I to have leopards, I would say the same thing. The dry heat of the Southwest is ideal for this species, and keeping a leopard outdoors would require little extra work.

You could surely keep a redfoot, but you would have to ensure daily (or something close) rainshowers (i.e., a garden hose and a sprinkler), as well as a good-sized water pan. Having a well-planted pen will help retain mositure...

Either or, you'll be fine...

>>I live in southern California and am trying to decide between a Redfoot and Leopard tortoise. Whichever I choose will be a single tortoise in a 9 x 11 outdoor enclosure with various greens planted. He/she will have a smaller indoor enclosure in case of inclimate weather. He/she will also have access to a large yard with a vegetable garden and various grasses for supervised romps.
>>
>>Based on the climate in southern California it sounds like a Leopard is the wiser choice but I would be interested in some feedback. Realistically, would it be much more difficult to establish proper humidity and temperatures for a redfoot? I'd like to choose whichever species would be happier and best suited to our area and I'm fond of both.
>>
>>Please excuse my login name - I established this account when we rescued a baby pocket gopher from his washed out burrow during last winter's rains.
>>
>>TIA for all your help!

Thanks so much for your feedback. I'm leaning towards the Leopard since we have plenty of space, plenty of access to grasses and hay and the nice warm climate. I think it would be much better if we weren't trying to fight our natural weather and make it something it's not.... It's rarely humid here even though we are so close to the coast.

You might want to consider the general personalities of the two tortoise species (and maybe others) too! What do you expect from your new tortoise?
Do you look for a tortoise with a big personality? Do you look for a tortoise, that is very personable?
A redfoot might beat a Leopard in these qualities. Still,- as a Canadian keeper I definitely know about the difficulties of establishing an environment, that is not there naturally.

Good luck with your choice,
Gaby

Both do great in SoCal.

Redfoot do not need a constant humid environment. They, as well as all tortoises, benefit from a humid hide but there is no reason to even try to create a humid environment outside of what is readily available.

I keep both and the Leopards create more problems for me. The redfoot seem to love this climate and do have a better personality.

>>I live in southern California and am trying to decide between a Redfoot and Leopard tortoise. Whichever I choose will be a single tortoise in a 9 x 11 outdoor enclosure with various greens planted. He/she will have a smaller indoor enclosure in case of inclimate weather. He/she will also have access to a large yard with a vegetable garden and various grasses for supervised romps.
>>
>>Based on the climate in southern California it sounds like a Leopard is the wiser choice but I would be interested in some feedback. Realistically, would it be much more difficult to establish proper humidity and temperatures for a redfoot? I'd like to choose whichever species would be happier and best suited to our area and I'm fond of both.
>>
>>Please excuse my login name - I established this account when we rescued a baby pocket gopher from his washed out burrow during last winter's rains.
>>
>>TIA for all your help!
-----
Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I have a star- he's young and he is shy! I still love him cuz he's so cute... I heard radiated torts can be very personal. What makes the red foots 'better', compared to leopards? Very interesting- I didn't think it really mattered- but I guess there must be differences...

Thanks for the input. I'm excited to hear that Redfoots do well here also but now I'm torn. I like different things about both the Leopards and the Redfoots - what kinds of problems do your Leopards give you? What differences in personalities can you describe?

Thanks so much for your advice!

There is NO other place in the US as well suited for Leopards as where you are now.

That in itself isn't a strong reason to get one, though. Leopards tend to be more shy than RFs--less outgoing than RFs. Additionally, Leopards are more prone to respiratory ailments, though this is less of a problem in low humidity environments.

For someone simply looking for a moderately sized tortoise with a good personality, the RF is the way to go.

I would emphasize the importance of addressing the harsh dry air the RF would face, though. Lots of plants (Hibuscus in SoCal), and regular showers with a sprinkler. As EJ mentioned, they would do ok anyhow, but its worth the extra effort to see your animal(s) thrive.

>>Thanks for the input. I'm excited to hear that Redfoots do well here also but now I'm torn. I like different things about both the Leopards and the Redfoots - what kinds of problems do your Leopards give you? What differences in personalities can you describe?
>>
>>Thanks so much for your advice!

I mentioned that RFs do great in SoCal... Better than leopards which seem to have trouble dealing with the cool nights. The Rfs do not.

>>There is NO other place in the US as well suited for Leopards as where you are now.
>>
>>That in itself isn't a strong reason to get one, though. Leopards tend to be more shy than RFs--less outgoing than RFs. Additionally, Leopards are more prone to respiratory ailments, though this is less of a problem in low humidity environments.
>>
>>For someone simply looking for a moderately sized tortoise with a good personality, the RF is the way to go.
>>
>>I would emphasize the importance of addressing the harsh dry air the RF would face, though. Lots of plants (Hibuscus in SoCal), and regular showers with a sprinkler. As EJ mentioned, they would do ok anyhow, but its worth the extra effort to see your animal(s) thrive.
>>
>>
>>>>Thanks for the input. I'm excited to hear that Redfoots do well here also but now I'm torn. I like different things about both the Leopards and the Redfoots - what kinds of problems do your Leopards give you? What differences in personalities can you describe?
>>>>
>>>>Thanks so much for your advice!
-----
Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

>>I mentioned that RFs do great in SoCal... Better than leopards which seem to have trouble dealing with the cool nights. The Rfs do not.

That sounds reasonable...

And just to clarify, RodentFinder, no one in this thread has said keeping a Leopard would be easier than keeping a RF. Rarely would that be the case, regardless of the geographical setting.

But those in the SW are in a unique position to be able to keep leopards outdoors more often than anywhere else in the US. There is *no* place else in the US as well suited for leos. This fact does not change the propensity for leos to be more sensitive to environmental shock, less outgoing, and in need of larger space than RFs.

>>And just to clarify, RodentFinder, no one in this thread has said keeping a Leopard would be easier than keeping a RF. Rarely would that be the case, regardless of the geographical setting.
>>
>>But those in the SW are in a unique position to be able to keep leopards outdoors more often than anywhere else in the US. There is *no* place else in the US as well suited for leos. This fact does not change the propensity for leos to be more sensitive to environmental shock, less outgoing, and in need of larger space than RFs.
-----
Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I understand and really appreciate everyone's feedback. Having been lucky enough to have shared a home with different reptiles over the years I know that none are "easy" and all require diligent attention to their environment and husbandry. That being said - I just seem to be drawn to the leopards and if I won't be fighting my natural climate too much I think I may go with a leo. It's interesting - I've had a variety of African creatures and have observed some neat similarities. My African Grey parrot is very sensitive to changes in his environment as well!

I have 4 redfoots,- one five-and-a-half year old, 2 two-and-a-half year olds and one 2 year old Cherryhead.
They all have their different little personalities, but I would call them all very personable. The three younger ones, that I raised from 2 - 6 weeks old, come running the moment they hear my voice, even when they don't see me yet. They all love to have their heads petted and being talked to. Whenever I come to the enclosure and talk to them, I will have 4 pairs of dark little eyes on me, seemingly or truly listening to me with great interest.
One of them is also very vocal and used to 'quack', as if she would talk back to me (it has become a lot less frequent now though, as she is growing up). Well,- I am not crazy,- other keepers will tell you the same,- though some insist, that there is 'no quacking' in the tortoise world'...
As I mentioned,- every tortoise has her / his own personality, even within the same species, and you might very well receive posts about an outgoing Leopard too. Leopards just might generally be a bit shier than redfoots.
In any case I can only say, that they really seem to interact and like the human contact. My oldest one, that I got, when she was already 2 years old, is equally attentive to me than the babies, but simply less outgoing. So raising your new tortoise from hatchling would sure be a good way of starting a great relationship!
One last point: as you will have to accomodate your tortoise inside at times, you might want to consider the different final sizes the two species will reach.
Hope that helps you with making up your mind,

Gaby