Advice: 3 year old Leopard tortoise

[britsip]

I've been educating myself and preparing for my first tortoise. I've been extremely torn between species, but I am greatly drawn to the leopard. My fear is indoor space and environmental factors... I live in Reno, NV, which means it's very dry year round and very cold in the winter. I fear that I won't be able to provide a large enough indoor, humid space. What size indoor enclosure is appropriate for a Leopard? I'm not interested in a hatching and am currently looking at a 3 year old that is approximately 6 inches. Would Reno's dry weather be unacceptable for a Leopard? How would you house a Leopard indoors during the winter? Would it be wiser to get a truly dry species like a Hermann's or Marginated? I desperately do not want to harm a tortoise because I'm to stubborn to admit that the environment where I live is not appropriate.
Lastly, I've attached a photo of a Leopard that is being re-homed and am hoping one of you experienced keepers can tell me if he/she looks healthy or normal? Is it "bad" that he/she is hiding in their shell while being held? Does the pyramiding seem normal? Any and all advice is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Nmcgowan]

The hiding thing is pretty normal. I would say every tort is different: some are more outgoing than others. Mine keeps her head out when I pick her up but they are all different. There is some slight pyramiding but it doesn't seem to bad, actually its better than a lot of others I've seen. I'm not an expert in any way. I've only had my own hatchling for 3 months, my opinion is just based off what I've seen and talked about with other Leo owners. I have no advice on the habitat info (I'm hoping to get some more advice on this as well). I do know that humidity is a must for Leos at least.

 

[wellington]

If you have the means and space, any tortoise can live happy and healthy any place, that's my opinion. As for this leopard, can tell if it's healthy in a pic. The pyramiding is not bad. An adult leopard can live inside when it's cold in at least a 4x8 enclosure. It could also live outside with a cold weather heated retreat like a shed or large dog house type box, with access to the outside. A warm humid hide when leopards are large seems to work good on keeping pyramiding down. For hatchlings, they need a humid closed chamber as just a humid hide doesn't work as good for hatchlings.

 

[Jodie]

I agree with the above. The tortoise looks pretty good. I house leopards inside for winter. I dedicate a bedroom to them and provide humid hides inside and out. You will have to really focus on keeping it hydrated, but enough time and money, and you can do it.

 

[J.P.]

there appears to be some recent growth lines, i always take that as a sign of good health.