Considering a Leo

[Soccerplr1]

I mentioned before.... Do you all recommend that once "hatch" is out of his 40gal and into the yard, that it can be repurposed for a Leo until he is big enough to go into the yard ? "hatch" is 6 months now. When càn he take up outdoor residence ?

Thanks Baca

 

[wellington]

He can go outside for some daily outside time, but I wouldn't put him out 24/7 until he is around 7-8 inches or so.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Re: RE: Considering a Leo

"hatch" is 6 months now. When càn he take up outdoor residence ?

Thanks Baca

More importantly than age is size.

I live in southern California with 3 leopards. My largest is 15 months old, over 5" long and 450 grams. He lives outside in a large pen during the day but still sleeps inside my house in his own "humid chamber" at night. I don't think I'll let him be a permanent outdoor resident until he is 10".

Heather
Sent from my Android TFO app

 

[Greg T]

I agree with the above. You need to consider several things, but size is important here. Some things to think about:

1. Is your yard or enclosure secure enough to prevent escape? 100% secure?
2. Do you have predator animals in the area that could get her - dogs, racoons, owls, etc.?
3. Outside temperatures day and night?
4. is the yard safe - stuff that can collapes on her, bad weeds, insects, etc.

I put mine outside in a pen from 4 inches until they were big enough to roam, once they reached about 7 or 8 inches. You'd be amazed at what mischief these guys can find. They will climb it, knock it over, pull it, push it, dig it, EAT it... But they are still great torts!

 

[Soccerplr1]

Thank you all...

He goes outside 3 or 4 times a week for supervised sunlight and play time now. I think maybe when he is 7 or 8 inches he can start spending the majority of the time outside. We will secure some of the yard. We live in Las Vegas Nevada so for a good part of the year the weather is acceptable for grassland species

 

[Tom]

In addition to the above, Hatch has already outgrown a 40 if he's 6 months old. 40s are okay for brand new hatchlings, but once they get to 3" or so, they need more space. A lot more.

Please read the top link in my signature below. Especially look at number 13.

 

[Neal]

I've made a couple of mistakes in this area. The first hatchling I produced went outside permenantly at 4 inches and began to pyramid. I purchased a smooth 6 inch babcocki some years ago and maintained her outdoors and she continued to grow smooth until about 10 inches when I sold her off. My one example hasn't given me anything conclusive but I have three more currently that I picked up at the 6-8 inch size that are showing similar results.

I guess what I am saying is that there is a lot of evidence, not just mine, for a "cut off" size for keeping them outdoors, but more research is needed. To be in the safe side I would say 8+ inches is a good benchmark based on the above.

 

[jtrux]

I've got two leopards that are outside weather permitting 24/7. Cooper isn't quite a year and he's roughly 4.25". Domino is a larger 2.5 year old GPP male (not too sure on size, haven't measured him but well say 12") . Both are in their own enclosures that are completely covered to protect against predators. Dominos pen is around 10'x10' and coopers is 8'x3'. I set a sprinkler next to their pens regularly to wet then down if it hasn't been raining and I still soak them. Domino was already pyramided when I got him but his new growth is smooth and in the 5 or two months I've had him he's grown 225 grams. Cooper started indoors as a smooth hatchling and now he's a smooth 4" tortoise. Humidity is relatively high here where I live so that might have something to do with it. Both drink a lot of water as well, their first stop in the mornings are their water dishes.

What I'm saying is that if you're in an area that permits it, then absolutely you can place him outside 24/7 assuming a few basic husbandry needs are met...like a secure enclosure. If you live somewhere very dry or if it gets cold at night then I'd advise against it.

 

[NickWag]

Jtrux, may I ask what area you're in?

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Nevermind. Checked your profile. I'm in Southeast Louisiana, so winters are similar. What do you do for winter?

 

[jtrux]

Ill PM you.

 

[Soccerplr1]

Thanks all... Sounds like we have a ways to go before he spends extended periods outside. @Tom - he is still < 3 in so I think we are ok for the next couple months in the 40 GA (it is more than 10x his length and 6x in width and helps keep humidity

 

[Yvonne G]

Yes, you can repurpose the 40 gallon once it's not being used anymore, but be sure to disinfect it thoroughly.