Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
Updated
3/05
© 2001 -
2003 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
Name:
Leopard Tortoise
Latin
Name:
Geochelone pardalis
Native
to:
Savannahs of Africa from Sudan to the southern Cape.
Size:
Leopard tortoises are the fourth largest tortoises
in the world and the second largest on Mainland Africa. They can reach carapace
sizes of over two feet in length and weigh over 100 pounds. Most specimens
usually only reach carapace lengths of 15 - 18 inches and weigh 30 – 50 pounds.
Males are sometimes larger than females. Please keep this size in mind when
purchasing or adopting a small juvenile or hatchling leopard tortoise because
they will get larger and size is one of the reasons why these tortoises are
offered for adoption.
Life
span:
Like all of the larger tortoise species, the leopard
tortoise can live to 100 years or more.
General
appearance:
This tortoise has a yellowish or buff colored highly
domed carapace with black blotches. Males have longer and thicker tails then
females and have slightly concave plastrons.
Housing
requirements:
Enclosure:
Hatchling and juvenile leopard tortoises can be kept
in larger aquariums or in mesh enclosures (such as Repteriums). As the tortoise
gets larger a large custom built will be needed to adequately house this
species. A pen size of about 10 feet by 10 feet in size for a mediums sized
tortoise. When possible, it is best for the tortoise to have an outdoor enclosure.
Temperature:
Leopard tortoises require daytime temperatures of 70° - 90° F.
Nighttime temperatures should be 70° - 75° F and should not drop below 60° F. This species should not be hibernated.
Heat/Light:
When possible these tortoises do best in outdoor
enclosures where they can take advantage of natural UVB light and heat from the
sun. During colder months they will need to be setup in an indoor enclosure
with heat and UVB light. Newer mercury vapor bulbs can provide both heat and
UVB light in a single bulb. Fluorescent UVB bulbs can also be used for light.
Additional heat can be provided with ceramic emitters, daytime basking bulbs, infrared
heat bulbs and even under-tank heaters can be used. Under no
circumstances should a heat rock should be used as
they can cause serious burns to your tortoise.
Substrate:
If kept in an outdoor pen then normal grasses can be
used in the pen. Indoor enclosures can use a variety of substrates such as
aspen shavings, compressed paper products (like Carefresh or CellSorb),
newspaper or indoor/outdoor carpeting. Pine and cedar shavings should be
avoided because they can cause long-term health issues.
Environment:
Leopard tortoises come from a warmer and dryer part
of the world and do not do well with high humidity or cooler temperatures.
Because of this fact, these tortoises should never be hibernated.
Diet:
This species requires a high fiber diet and should
consist of 70% - 75% of grasses and hay. Use a variety of hays (timothy,
alfalfa, orchard grass, etc.) to provide variety. Large amounts of lettuces and
fruits should not be provided, though occasional small amounts are OK. The
fruit and pads of the prickly pear (Opuntia
sp.) are also enjoyed. Meat and other
high protein items should be avoided as they lead to long-term health issues.
Calcium and vitamin D3 supplements should be provided on a regular basis (two
to three times per week depending on the diet being fed). Care should be taken
not to over-supplement as this can cause health issues as well.
Maintenance:
The enclosure should be spot cleaned daily. A
thorough cleaning should be performed on a regular basis. A 5% bleach solution
is an excellent disinfectant. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the enclosure before
replacing the substrate and placing the tortoise back in the enclosure. It is
always recommended to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the tortoise or
cleaning the cage or cage accessories.
Other
references or recommended reading:
Heinen,
Joseph E. “Leopard Tortoise: Geochelone pardalis.” AfricanTortoise.com.
Retrieved 16 December 2003. Available on-line:
<http://africantortoise.com/leopard.htm>
Hodges,
Kate. “Captive Care of Leopard Tortoises.” The Global Herper. Retrieved 16
December
2003.
Available on-line:
<http://www.kingsnake.com/globalherper/issues/1_2/leotort.html>
Finley,
Chip. “Care of Leopard Tortoises (
Geochelone
pardalis babcocki).” Retrieved 16 December
2003.
Available
on-line:
<http://www.reptilerope.org/caresheets.html>
Corton,
Misty. “Geochelone pardalis (Leopard Tortoise) Care.” The Tortoise
Trust. Retrieved 16 December 2003. Available on-line:
<http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Mistypardaliscare.htm>
Senneke,
Darrell. “Leopard Tortoise – Geochelone pardalis.” The Tortoise Trust.
Retrieved 16 December 2003. Available on-line:
<http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/pardaliscare.htm>