hhilgen2
New Member
I figured I'd create my own thread so as not to thread-jack . I acquired my leopard hatchling in the beginning of June from a breeder that came highly recommended from this forum. He has been very active, eating everything in sight and pooping solidly. He moves to different spots in his enclosure to thermoregulate throughout the day. His shell is firm, but the plastron is slightly pliable, which I think is probably normal for a hatchling. However, he has gained only a gram in the past month. He was 33 grams when I got him and is now a whopping 34 grams.....I'm really worried about the little bugger and hoped that everyone could go over my husbandry to see if there's anything I can improve. He spends the majority of his day outside and comes inside only for the night.
Outdoor pen: 4ft by 8ft. Free growing clover, dandelion, yard grass, and broad leaf plantain. He eats all of these, but seems to prefer plantain. He goes outside when the temp is above 72 and below 105 (average temperature outside is 85F). There is a basking spot of clay and a tile that heats up nicely, about mid 90's when I temp'd it. Shallow water bowl in ground and hides, along with daylily and bermuda grass for shelter. Humidity around here right now is about 80%. I see him grazing nearly every time I'm outside.
Indoor: large underbed sweaterbox with cover. Heat provided with ceramic emitter. Warm spot is 95F, cool end is 77-78. Substrate is cypress bark. Humidity on hot end is 75-80%, about 50-60% on cool end. The substrate is moistened on the hot side so that we follow the hot-humid, cool-dry principle to let him choose what suits him best. Numerous hides are provided throughout so he can feel secure at any "micro climate".
We calcium supplement 2-3 times weekly. Fecal exam was negative.
Outdoor pen: 4ft by 8ft. Free growing clover, dandelion, yard grass, and broad leaf plantain. He eats all of these, but seems to prefer plantain. He goes outside when the temp is above 72 and below 105 (average temperature outside is 85F). There is a basking spot of clay and a tile that heats up nicely, about mid 90's when I temp'd it. Shallow water bowl in ground and hides, along with daylily and bermuda grass for shelter. Humidity around here right now is about 80%. I see him grazing nearly every time I'm outside.
Indoor: large underbed sweaterbox with cover. Heat provided with ceramic emitter. Warm spot is 95F, cool end is 77-78. Substrate is cypress bark. Humidity on hot end is 75-80%, about 50-60% on cool end. The substrate is moistened on the hot side so that we follow the hot-humid, cool-dry principle to let him choose what suits him best. Numerous hides are provided throughout so he can feel secure at any "micro climate".
We calcium supplement 2-3 times weekly. Fecal exam was negative.