Long time no see. Just an update...

My old thread is locked so I can't update that. But my leopard is now 2 years and 2 months old. And I just found her a new home in Arizona with my cousin. The east coast really isn't the best place for her. I hope everyone is doing well.

That's too bad that you aren't keeping her/him. Although AZ is warmer almost all year, it's very dry too, which isn't the best for them either. So sorry you felt the need to give her/him up. At least it's in the family for updates right?

Hi, Wellington. She was hatched in Arizona, which seems to be one of the top breeding grounds for leopards. I'll be giving my cousin a care sheet to accompany the tortoise. I really don't feel I can care for her properly here. Winter is coming and that will mean indoors, and they don't seem to like that much. I'm just trying to do what's best. And yes, I can visit her there and post updates.

I didn't see the picture the first time I posted. Beautiful tort. You did good. I understand, just sad when someone has to give up a tort, for whatever reason. Nice though that you can still keep tabs on her/him.

I really don't want to do it, but I'm looking out for the best interest of the animal. My cousin in AZ has a great back yard that will be perfect. She's pretty exited about it. I'm now just pondering the shipping. It's on the cold side in MD now and I want it to go smoothly.

I don't know if your going to get it or not, but starting Thursday we will be having upper 60's and low 70's day time temps for about a week and a half at least. If it's coming your way, that would be the time to ship.

That sounds good. Just waiting for my cuz to give me the ok to ship. I'm schooling her now on all she'll need. She was worried about her dogs (two mini dachshunds) but I told her I've had no issue with mine.

Just wondering if anyone knows the best way to ship her? Who would be the best? I think FedEx delivered her here in 2012.

My cousin is excited. I know she'll have a better home there.

That's a fabulous looking leopard! Are you positive if the sex?

~ Simply beautiful and really love the coloration!

Dogs are very dangerous for tortoises. Please tell her she will have to keep them separated. There are so many tragic dog stories.

Sign up with Ship Your Reptiles and you'll be covered under their shipping permits.
Pay though the site, print the label, then drop the box off at a FedEx center and ta-da!.. it is really easy.
I shipped 2 of mine that way recently when I moved from SoCal to Oregon.
Email me if you want help using that site...seriously, it was easy. I'll walk you through it and show you photos.

Team Gomberg said:

Sign up with Ship Your Reptiles and you'll be covered under their shipping permits.
Pay though the site, print the label, then drop the box off at a FedEx center and ta-da!.. it is really easy.
I shipped 2 of mine that way recently when I moved from SoCal to Oregon.
Email me if you want help using that site...seriously, it was easy. I'll walk you through it and show you photos.

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Thanks, I'll check into it. She wants her delivered on a Saturday so she'll be home all weekend to get things settled in. I warned about keeping the dogs separated. Her dogs are so small I'm not sure how much damage they could do, but I'm sure they could chew her up good if determined.

I guess a tupperware bowl lined with paper towels in a box would work to keep her from rattling around? That's how she was shipped when she was 3 weeks hatched. Just a little bigger now.

Another good thing about this move is I may be moving there myself and I visit, so it wouldn't be a permanent separation.

Tortus said:

Hi, Wellington. She was hatched in Arizona, which seems to be one of the top breeding grounds for leopards. I'll be giving my cousin a care sheet to accompany the tortoise. I really don't feel I can care for her properly here. Winter is coming and that will mean indoors, and they don't seem to like that much. I'm just trying to do what's best. And yes, I can visit her there and post updates.

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For the record, AZ is one of the best places in the continental US to raise a leopard IMHO.

Neal said:

For the record, AZ is one of the best places in the continental US to raise a leopard IMHO.

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Hopefully, Neal. I know it's where a lot of African tortoises are bred.

Well, tomorrow is the big day. I'm feeling a little sad though. I don't want to give her up. But she'll have a nice enclosed back yard in AZ to romp around in. More than I can provide here. I'm a little worried about shipping though. Hopefully everything will go well.

This is a beauty for sure!!!!

wow!! I like it.

bouaboua said:

This is a beauty for sure!!!!

wow!! I like it.

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Yeah, really healthy and a fast grower. I haven't weighed her in a while but I'd guess she's about 3 pounds now. I'll find out tomorrow.

Can't wait to see my cousin post updates on Facebook. haha. She's an animal lover and has been doing research, so I feel like she'll be in good hands.

diamondbp said:

That's a fabulous looking leopard! Are you positive if the sex?

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No I think it's still too young.

Just a question about shipping if anyone familiar can give me pointers. I signed up with the "ship your reptiles" site as Team Gomberg recommended. As far as packing goes, I have some reptile shipping heat packs. Where should I put them in the shipping container? I figured I'd put the tort in a ventilated tupperware bowl inside of a box. Put the packs right underneath the bowl?

Also, what would you insure an 8.5" leopard at? I've seen hatchings in pet stores around here for 2-$300, so maybe $500? It's just for the guaranteed live delivery.

Don't forget to insulate the ventilated Tupperware before it goes into the shipping box. Some use Styrofoam or bubble wrap.

I didn't have to use heat packs but if you are going to, I'd use Styrofoam. Sandwich the heat packs between the Tupperware and the insulation.

Thanks, that's pretty much what I had in mind. Just wanted to make sure.