Leopard Tortoise Care Guide

Leopard Tortoise Care Guide

Geochelone pardalis, most commonly known as the Leopard tortoise is found in Africa, primarily in Sudan until the southern regions of the Capes. They like to graze in dry, thorny and grassy areas. They usually grow to about 16-18 inches in length and could weigh to about 40-50 pounds. Like most tortoises, they have a long life span, about 50 years or more. Since the leopard tortoise is not endemic in North America, their diet and habitat, if bred as pet, requires special study and attention. Here is basic information on how to take care of your exotic pet.
The Leopard tortoise is an herbivorous grazer. Its diet consists mainly of high fiber greens and grasses such as hay, timothy and thistle. They can also be fed with moderate quantities of vegetables, but stay away from food with high oxalates, such as spinach, beet greens or fruits. Do not feed them with dog food, cat food or other animal protein. If you’ve decided to keep your leopard tortoise indoors for most of the year, supplement their diet with calcium or vitamin D3. They can gnaw on pieces of cuttlebone for extra calcium.

If the temperature allows, provide a shelter for your pet outdoors. During the day, ideal temperatures should be between 80-90°F (27-32°C), and 65-75°F (19-24°C) at night. Mimic their natural habitat as much as possible. They prefer dry grassy areas, with adequate shade, basking spot and burrows. The pen should be large enough for them to graze around until they reach their mature size. You may also need to provide a shallow pan of water for them to soak in.
Indoors, invest on a UVA/UVB lamp for your leopard tortoise. Temperatures should be between 80-90°F at day and 65-75°F at night. They also need a basking spot at 95°F. Use grass hay as substrate. They should also have access to a shallow pan of water for soaking. They may slow down on cooler months but do not need to hibernate. No matter where you keep your exotic pet, keep them away from potential predators such as dogs. If properly taken care of, they can live long, full lives.