Questions- possible new leopard owner

MIReptilian said:

I would not put them on the concrete floor. I would most definitely build a insulated subfloor out of 2x4s and plywood. Then I would build the enclosure on to of that. Heck, if I wanted to, I could build a 20x20 enclosure in the basement.

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That would work. The floor being cold is just not something that everyone thinks about.

When mine were housed in the basement I had a tarp as a floor and substrate of peat moss over that. Since then Tom has found out peat moss can cause a leopard to get shell rot which is almost impossible for a leopard to get.
I had two basking lights a 60 watt incandescent light and a oil filled portable radiator heater on a rheostat. I had a couple females in that enclosure that I got as adults.
My males were both raised in Chicago from hatchling and they do seem to handle the winters being inside the shed very well, better then the females that were raised in AZand CA. The shed is heated with the same oil filled heater on a thermostat. They also have basking lights. I run a ceiling fan 24/7 in winter to push the rising heat down to tort level. Its always very warm.
A basement or shed work just fine, I have done both. I would not do a cold basement without a closed enclosure like the greenhouse or a room.

This is the only pic I can find. The shed is a closed off third stall of the garage. The leopards are about 3-4 feet off the floor in tables. Tables are the length of the garage stall 20 feet and varying widths of 7 feet down to 3 feet. It's easier to heat them being halfway up and easier on me. It's not pretty as I use scrap wood to build.
The lower you can keep the ceiling in whatever you build the easier it is to heat.

MIReptilian said:

@Tom or @Neal can either of you offer up opinions on the questions above? While reading tons of threads over the last week or so I've noticed you two seem to be on your game when it comes to leopards.

My understanding is that leopards are not good with high humidity. Is this true? I've come across posts of people in the gulf states keeping them outside year round which makes me think our humid summers here in MI wont be an issue provided I have a dry house for them.

What about pricing for babcocki vs pardalis pardalis? Money doesnt make a huge difference but i was just curious.

Thanks

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Leopards need high humidity of 80% when young and in a closed chamber with temps no lower then 80.
As adults they can still handle high humidity but easier to give a humid hide then keeping a large enclosure that humid.

Well. I decided on the Eastern Herman's. Not just one, a trio!.

Thanks for answering all my questions regarding a leopard. I really appreciate it.

Jeff

wellington said:

I live in Chicago, weather similar to Michigan. I was raised in Michigan. I keep leopards, 3 of them. 2 adults and toddler. I used to have a couple more.
I house mine in an insulated heated shed for winter.
I have also housed them in my basement in a pop up 10x12 greenhouse.
It's not hard, it's a little more costly then in the warm states. However, even though in the warm states have to heat their tortoises.
Many of us in the snow states have leopards, sulcatas, you name it.

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Wellington, can you show pics of your set-ups?

Tort baby momma said:

Wellington, can you show pics of your set-ups?

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Above in another post is my shed.