Leopard Hatchling Enclosure - HELP :)

Intricate

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2013
Messages
17
Hello,

I've been doing some research on Leopard tortoises for quite some time and I will soon be getting my first hatchling. I've never owned a tortoise before. The only reptile I had were two crested geckos about 1 year ago.

I work for a very popular veterinarian who specializes in exotics here in Arizona. So my future tortoise will be very well cared for :)

I do have a question regarding a leopard hatchling's enclosure. I am finding it difficult to 'see' how people are building their enclosure's inside. I see set ups acceptable for Sulcata's quite often but not for leo's.

Sooooo, my quesiton would then be: What does your enclosure look like?

I'd love it if you guys would be willing to post a picture as a reply underneath so that I can just get a visual. I've been reading what they need but I am more of a visual type of person :)

I'd really appreciate pics of your habitat (Indoor)

Thanks!
Lauren (New to this tortoise forum and to tortoises in general!)
 

Intricate

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2013
Messages
17
Well, not quite from what I've read. Sulcata's habitat can be dry.. and leo's need some humidity. Therefore I don't see how their habitat can be the same.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,405
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Hi Lauren, and welcome to the Forum.

No, what you've read is all old stuff. The latest info, which is what you've joined the Forum to learn about, is that you MUST keep baby sulcatas AND leopards in a humid/moist environment if you want them to grow smoothly.

I have 1 5 year old male Babcock and two full grown female Babcocks. There are also two 3yr old South African leopards in the same pen. Their pen/yard is about 25x30 feet, and they have the grass eaten down to the nubs. It's not nearly big enough for the amount of tortoises grazing there. So I've recently opened up another appx. 20'x15' section and planted it with grass, clover and dichondra.

This is an overview of the yard and shed:
11-06-13a_zpsa508539a.jpg


And this is the new and newly planted section:
11-06013b_zps98537468.jpg


(The little open shed was a pigmy goat barn when my daughter used to live here and before it became a leopard tortoise yard. Now I've got that opening blocked off so the tortoises won't go in there because it's too cold for them to stay out at night. But I open it during the summer.)

Inside the shed I have a covered area (because they feel more comfortable hiding under something:
11-06-13c_zps7b00cb8e.jpg


You can't see it in the picture, but there is a pig blanket mounted on the wall inside the covered area.

And because I have a new SA baby, I have a tort table for him on one wall of the shed:
11-06-13d_zps8106bda3.jpg

11-06-13e_zps3d617bf6.jpg


And he has a humid hide made up of a giant PVC cut in half lengthwise and stuffed with moist sphagnum moss:
11-06-13h_zpsa39390b8.jpg
 

Levi the Leopard

IXOYE
10 Year Member!
Joined
Oct 1, 2012
Messages
7,958
Location (City and/or State)
Southern Oregon
It is true that both sulcata and leopard tortoise hatchlings need to be raised with humidity.
The easiest way to maintain the hot and humid African rainy season is to use a closed chamber.

I converted a large aquarium into a closed chamber by covering the screen top.
Here are some pictures of how my chamber has looked over the years...

Also, do a search using the key words
"Closed chambers" and "The End of Pyramiding II" for further ideas on how to create your hatchling's mini African paradise

Hope this helps :)
 

Attachments

  • 457 208.jpg
    457 208.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 62
  • 457 213.jpg
    457 213.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 55
  • 467 404.jpg
    467 404.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 56
  • 469 432.jpg
    469 432.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 50
  • 469 435.jpg
    469 435.jpg
    1.6 MB · Views: 48
  • 460 154.jpg
    460 154.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 51

Zamric

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Oct 29, 2011
Messages
3,301
Location (City and/or State)
The Crystal Unicorn

AztecPurse101

New Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2020
Messages
24
Location (City and/or State)
Kuala Lumpur
It is true that both sulcata and leopard tortoise hatchlings need to be raised with humidity.
The easiest way to maintain the hot and humid African rainy season is to use a closed chamber.

I converted a large aquarium into a closed chamber by covering the screen top.
Here are some pictures of how my chamber has looked over the years...

Also, do a search using the key words
"Closed chambers" and "The End of Pyramiding II" for further ideas on how to create your hatchling's mini African paradise

Hope this helps :)

What did you use to cover the screen top??
 

Srmcclure

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2020
Messages
1,791
Location (City and/or State)
Oklahoma city
I use a grow tent for my leo.20200601_124955.jpg
You'll want to read through this too

 

New Posts

Top