Thinking of getting a Leopard Tortoise. Advise please

[Chaziboots]

Hi!

Im looking into getting a leopard tortoise.

Looking for enclosure advice please.

I have a 350sq metre garden, which I will allow free roam in when its big. Until then I was thinking a 6x18ft pen?
What substrate?

I was thinking buying a shed for it. Now I don't know whether to keep it inside over winter so it can free roam the house and keep warm indoors or whether to insulate the shed and let it be outside in a heated shed (Whats the electric bill like doing that?!)

What bulbs and heat lamps does people advise? Is it different inside to outside?

what are my options? what are you set ups please

Thanks

 

[JoesMum]

Hi

Are you in the UK?

@Lyn W keeps a Leopard Tort outdoors in South Wales and will hopefully be along later on today.

When they're very small, it's best to keep them indoors for their heat and humidity requirements

Have you read these? They will answer most of your questions

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

How to raise a healthy Leopard Tort
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

For those who have a young Sulcata (applies to Leopard Torts)
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[Chaziboots]

Hi thanks.

Yes I'm in the UK.

I will check out the links now, thank you

 

[Tom]

Your leopard needs a large, heated indoor enclosure for winter and cooler days. Regular leopards are a tropical animal and must be kept warm in your cold climate. Your tortoise should never free roam the house. This is dangerous for several reasons and its much too cold down there too.

The links Joe's Mum posted for you will spell it all out.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. Second all the above.

 

[Gillian M]

Hi and a very warm welcome to the forum!

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Once the tort is large enough, insulating an outdoor shed to house him during winters is a great plan.

I *think* if you insulate it correctly the electric bill isn't affected too much.
I have a small, insulated tort house running on a mini oil filled radiator. It doesn't affect my bill in the slightest.

 

[Chaziboots]

Thanks guys!

Ive been doing lots and lots of research.

 

[TerrapinStation]

Good on you for researching and planning before bringing the tortoise home. It will make both yours and the animals life so much easier and more rewarding!