Greytortuga
New Member
Happy New Year!
I am GreyTortuga, located in Southeast Michigan, and a Leo tortoise owner.
This is my first time posting, but I have used this blog the last two years to navigate purchasing my first Leopard (babcocki) and raising it--Ghost. I wanted to introduce myself and summarize my experience to help others in the future, gather any recommendations and to chat about tortoise things. I included more details towards the end of the post for those who want more context.
Summary
Finding a Leo from a reputable breeder was a challenge, but Will at @Kapidolo Farms was able to give me Gale from his February 2020 hatchling group. Ghost (previously Gale) is almost 2 years old and lives in a 6x2 enclosure (custom made by Eden Enclosures in Michigan), but during the summer Ghost spends a few hours outdoors in a rabbit coop/hutch. Enclosure humidity stays between 65% - 75% and temperatures range from 80F to 90F. I keep handling to a minimum as Ghost is still a yearling and timid, but does enjoy a head rub now and then.
Ghost soaks around 2-3 times a week and eats twice a day a variety of greens, dried Kapidolo 'All Aminos' variety food or soaked Mazuri (weekly calcium powder). Ghost sleeps 70% of the day (not super active) and poos 3 times a week. Sex is still unknown
.
I'll continue to track Ghost's growth, but thus far a steady trend:
A few topics to discuss:
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2020
2021
Enclosures
I am GreyTortuga, located in Southeast Michigan, and a Leo tortoise owner.
This is my first time posting, but I have used this blog the last two years to navigate purchasing my first Leopard (babcocki) and raising it--Ghost. I wanted to introduce myself and summarize my experience to help others in the future, gather any recommendations and to chat about tortoise things. I included more details towards the end of the post for those who want more context.
Summary
Finding a Leo from a reputable breeder was a challenge, but Will at @Kapidolo Farms was able to give me Gale from his February 2020 hatchling group. Ghost (previously Gale) is almost 2 years old and lives in a 6x2 enclosure (custom made by Eden Enclosures in Michigan), but during the summer Ghost spends a few hours outdoors in a rabbit coop/hutch. Enclosure humidity stays between 65% - 75% and temperatures range from 80F to 90F. I keep handling to a minimum as Ghost is still a yearling and timid, but does enjoy a head rub now and then.
Ghost soaks around 2-3 times a week and eats twice a day a variety of greens, dried Kapidolo 'All Aminos' variety food or soaked Mazuri (weekly calcium powder). Ghost sleeps 70% of the day (not super active) and poos 3 times a week. Sex is still unknown
.I'll continue to track Ghost's growth, but thus far a steady trend:
- Hatch (2/20)
- 6 month old (8/28/20) - 104g
- 1 year old (2/20/21) - 170g
- 1.5 years old (8/20/21) - 350g
- Almost 2 years old (1/1/22) - 474g
A few topics to discuss:
- Was there an age where your tortoise started to become more outgoing or active?
- With the Michigan winter climate, any recommendations indoor enclosures to accommodate adult size?
- Any growth averages to share for Leo babcockis around age 5 and 10? Photos welcomed
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Finding A Tort
I grew up with a Redfoot tortoise, but always admired Leopards. Using this site, combined with other research channels, I decided to start searching for breeders around August.First Attempt; Found a local pet store that had a Leopard hatchling, around 4 months, they had initial concerns about its health as it was not growing and raised in inappropriate conditions, but cleared it for purchase. Brought it home and poor thing died two days later--we named it Zombie (RIP).
Second Attempt; Searched tortoise blogs and Facebook groups to find a Leopard hatchling before the Michigan weather changed. Not much inventory in September, but luckily Will at Kapidolo Farms had one left in from his February 2020 hatchling group--Gale (all his torts looked great). He was very helpful, patient with my eagerness and overnighted Gale to me in Michigan.
Gale - (3:53)
Ghost's Life
Ghost (previously Gale) arrived a little apprehensive from the CA --> MI trip, not eating consistently, not very active, but drinking during the daily soaks. After the vet confirmed Ghost was in perfect health, my panic subsided and I focused on letting it get accustomed to its new home.Enclosure; Unfortunately, I fell victim to some of the "cool tortoise" homes on amazon, that do not hold heat or humidity well. I tried the wooden tortoise home and used heat bubble/foil wrap over the wire top to trap in the heat and humidity. I hated this because I couldn't see Ghost and it didn't feel sustainable or safe --sold it to a woman with a gerbil.
Then I took advice from posters here to try the 50 gallon plastic storage bin and made some tweaks--loved it. I cut out holes for the lamps, wired crate to hold the lamps to the cover, added a look through plexiglass and it was perfect until the final enclosure was done being built. I still use this as my "to-go" enclosure in the event I need to transport Ghost.
Eden Enclosures in Michigan specializes in reptile enclosures, mainly snakes and bearded dragons, but I worked with the owner to make a tortoise friendly version. It’s 6'x2'x2' grey stained plywood, acrylic sliding doors, 3 heat lamp fixtures, one UVB, bottom sealed, removable top screen panels and a removable bottom stand. I decorated the enclosure with a lined bottom with pond liner (easier to clean), orchid bark substrate, planter saucer for water, some rocks, small animal wooden bridges, XL reptile cave, spider plants, eating slate, a ramp, a sealed skull planter and some "toys". I completely clean the enclosure twice a year and do substrate change in between as needed.
During warmer temperatures, Ghost goes outdoors in a large rabbit hutch for about 2 hours maximum. Since Ghost is still young, I am hesitant to leave outside for extensive times.
Routine; I use a local reptile vet for Ghost's annual check-up, so far no issues or alarming concerns. The warmer side of the enclosure stays around 90F degrees and the cooler side around 80F degrees and humidity stays between 65%-75%--I wet the substrate and spray the plants. The first year we did daily water soaks in a large concrete mixer tub for 20 minutes; now soaks are twice a week. Ghost poos about twice a week, maybe more if Ghost eats it before I can clean it. During soaks, I use a soft toothbrush to get any poo stuck to the plastron or feet (fun stuff).
Ghost ventures to the eating slate about twice a day and food options include, but not limited to, escarole, dandelion, romaine, cabbage, leaf lettuce, bok choy, dried Kapidolo 'All Aminos' variety food, soaked Mazuri etc. and I include calcium powder once a week.
Unsure if it is normal or atypical, but Ghost sleeps most of the day, not very active. In the morning Ghost gets up to eat, drink, look around a bit then goes into hide and does it again in late afternoon. Ghost is intrigued by the dog and likes to charge at him, but the dog is 16 and completely uninterested. I don't handle Ghost much as it is still a yearling, just hoping Ghost will grow to like me ? lol.
Growth; I try to be consistent with tracking weight on the scale and shell measurements, but I don't always have time. I included the rough data here for those with Leo babcocki who want to compare sizes:
- 2/20; hatch
- 8/20; 104g
- 10/20; 120g
- 11/20; 135g
- 12/20; 156g
- 2/21; 170g
- 3/21; 180g
- 4/21; 202g
- 5/21; 235g
- 6/21; 283g
- 8/21; 350g
- 10/21; 410g
- 11/21; 422g
- 12/21; 445g
- 1/22; 474g
Photos
2020
2021
Enclosures
