Leothetort*2021
New Member
First I apologize this is long but I waited and researched to the best of my ability before I jumped on here. I just don't know what to do here.
Species: Leopard Tortoise
Age: Got him March 2021: Weight 1.1 oz, 2" shell
Todays Weight as of Sept 27 2023 8 lbs 5 oz. Shell: Length: head to bottom: 10 inches, Height: 6.25
Present Care Soak about: 30. minutes currently 2-3 week
Living quarters from day one I followed Toms directions : Closed chamber, with CHE heat emitter 75w, day white light , Basking lamp 90-100 degrees F, 2 hides, Repti bark,
Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Terrarium Hood, 30" L. and lamp, mister, soaking water bowl, grow my own food and use Mazuri moistened. One end of chamber 80-85 F: basking 90-100F . All aspects were on correct timers per care sheet.
Since day one March 2021 to 2022; He has had 2 different closed chambers. Both custom built and size varied as he grew of course
As he grew in March 2022 We customized a closed chamber: Photos attached. Basically all the same but added a medical grade humidifier.
Chamber was a 260 gallon tank converted and secured all sides so he could. not see out. HE did great during the time in that chamber. Ate well, drank, basked, etc. He never was really active but gained weigh didn't worry. Seemed healthy.
Now to my concerns or worry:
He out grew the last chamber so I converted Now in a open 1/2 of a bedroom 14' x12' into the torts room. PHOTOS attached as well.
Current set up; Converted a Med. size plastic dog house
All basically the same for as equipment as you can see in photos, but I put the CHE 75W has been installed in the doghouse, there is a day LED strip light to mimic day light, sensor for temperature. Opening has a clear plastic walk in door strips to keep heat in.
Temp inside of the doghouse:
Back corners of Doghouse where he stays: 81-85 F , opposite side of house: close to same temp, In the middle of house which where the CHE is 90-91F, front of the house is 81F
Humidity: 70%
OUTSIDE of the hide (doghouse) is as seen, I added extra basking lamp in 2 areas, 16" water bowl and a 12" feeding bowl,.
Everything still on the timer on Toms care sheet suggestion.
Room temp: 75F, humidity 57-60 %
NOW the problem I'm having. As stated he is gaining weight, eyes clear,
He will not come out of hide to eat or bask? He stays all buried in the substrate until I physically get him out around 7-8 pm. He is warm to touch. Alert and heavy LOL. When I get him out he will eat like there is no tomorrow. He may or. may not walk around but usually goes right back in his comfy house. Also he NEVER pees or poops in his house nor on the room. Trust me I check daily and around the floor. See photos of his area.
When I soak him he pees sometimes several times. His pee looks to me a light brown color no white like my hermans torts do. Sometimes he will poop in water and its normal, formed, green and ALOT, but what I do see is a oily substance floating not alot, but I notice it. and it is NOT every bath. Just mentioning it.
Once he has his soak he eats again alot. Like normal. Appears normal.
I'm just concerned he is eating at night..Not like he use to in his closed chamber. He came out in the morning, ate, moved around a little not much and back to the hide.
It is like he has his days and nights messed up. IS this possible? or just his personality and normal for him?
The change from closed chamber has been at least few months now. I did recently up the temps inside the doghouse and added the day light but no difference in his behavior.
Food: Dandelions, mixed dark greens, lettuce, rose of sharon flowers/leaves, hosta leaves, and mazuri .
I'm I worrying for nothing let him be and just physically get him out each night or will he eventually get use to his big new surroundings?
Sorry again so long but I am at my wits ends. Wisdom much appreciated. Thanks in advance Kathy
1st photos his photo and the last chamber he was in. Last 3 photos set of photos is our current set up.
Species: Leopard Tortoise
Age: Got him March 2021: Weight 1.1 oz, 2" shell
Todays Weight as of Sept 27 2023 8 lbs 5 oz. Shell: Length: head to bottom: 10 inches, Height: 6.25
Present Care Soak about: 30. minutes currently 2-3 week
Living quarters from day one I followed Toms directions : Closed chamber, with CHE heat emitter 75w, day white light , Basking lamp 90-100 degrees F, 2 hides, Repti bark,
Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Terrarium Hood, 30" L. and lamp, mister, soaking water bowl, grow my own food and use Mazuri moistened. One end of chamber 80-85 F: basking 90-100F . All aspects were on correct timers per care sheet.
Since day one March 2021 to 2022; He has had 2 different closed chambers. Both custom built and size varied as he grew of course
As he grew in March 2022 We customized a closed chamber: Photos attached. Basically all the same but added a medical grade humidifier.
Chamber was a 260 gallon tank converted and secured all sides so he could. not see out. HE did great during the time in that chamber. Ate well, drank, basked, etc. He never was really active but gained weigh didn't worry. Seemed healthy.
Now to my concerns or worry:
He out grew the last chamber so I converted Now in a open 1/2 of a bedroom 14' x12' into the torts room. PHOTOS attached as well.
Current set up; Converted a Med. size plastic dog house
All basically the same for as equipment as you can see in photos, but I put the CHE 75W has been installed in the doghouse, there is a day LED strip light to mimic day light, sensor for temperature. Opening has a clear plastic walk in door strips to keep heat in.
Temp inside of the doghouse:
Back corners of Doghouse where he stays: 81-85 F , opposite side of house: close to same temp, In the middle of house which where the CHE is 90-91F, front of the house is 81F
Humidity: 70%
OUTSIDE of the hide (doghouse) is as seen, I added extra basking lamp in 2 areas, 16" water bowl and a 12" feeding bowl,.
Everything still on the timer on Toms care sheet suggestion.
Room temp: 75F, humidity 57-60 %
NOW the problem I'm having. As stated he is gaining weight, eyes clear,
He will not come out of hide to eat or bask? He stays all buried in the substrate until I physically get him out around 7-8 pm. He is warm to touch. Alert and heavy LOL. When I get him out he will eat like there is no tomorrow. He may or. may not walk around but usually goes right back in his comfy house. Also he NEVER pees or poops in his house nor on the room. Trust me I check daily and around the floor. See photos of his area.
When I soak him he pees sometimes several times. His pee looks to me a light brown color no white like my hermans torts do. Sometimes he will poop in water and its normal, formed, green and ALOT, but what I do see is a oily substance floating not alot, but I notice it. and it is NOT every bath. Just mentioning it.
Once he has his soak he eats again alot. Like normal. Appears normal.
I'm just concerned he is eating at night..Not like he use to in his closed chamber. He came out in the morning, ate, moved around a little not much and back to the hide.
It is like he has his days and nights messed up. IS this possible? or just his personality and normal for him?
The change from closed chamber has been at least few months now. I did recently up the temps inside the doghouse and added the day light but no difference in his behavior.
Food: Dandelions, mixed dark greens, lettuce, rose of sharon flowers/leaves, hosta leaves, and mazuri .
I'm I worrying for nothing let him be and just physically get him out each night or will he eventually get use to his big new surroundings?
Sorry again so long but I am at my wits ends. Wisdom much appreciated. Thanks in advance Kathy
1st photos his photo and the last chamber he was in. Last 3 photos set of photos is our current set up.