Leopard tortoise central California

[Volksdaven]

Hello, I am looking for specific experience for outdoor care of juvenile leopard tortoise in Central Valley California, zone 9a. He is about 6in. I plan to build an enclosure outside with a heated hide. I see a lot of threads. However, none specific to my area. Any help/information is greatly appreciated.

 

[SasquatchTortoise]

I do not have any Leopard experience, but he will need to stay a bit humid while he is young

 

[Markw84]

Hello, I am looking for specific experience for outdoor care of juvenile leopard tortoise in Central Valley California, zone 9a. He is about 6in. I plan to build an enclosure outside with a heated hide. I see a lot of threads. However, none specific to my area. Any help/information is greatly appreciated.View attachment 314576

Here's a post I did about the outdoor enclosure I made for my Burmese Stars. I live in the exact climate as you just north of you. I would set up Leopard tortoises the exact same way. I have had the group in this enclosure for 3 years now and am very happy with how everything works and how the tortoises are doing.

New Outdoor Enclosure for limited space

I just about have this enclosure ready for the tortoises. I had a limited amount of space to use for my group of Burmese Stars, and wanted to take advantage of all the space I could since I was now using the last space I had for my weed garden and tortoise food it provided. Brenda is pleased...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Volksdaven]

Here's a post I did about the outdoor enclosure I made for my Burmese Stars. I live in the exact climate as you just north of you. I would set up Leopard tortoises the exact same way. I have had the group in this enclosure for 3 years now and am very happy with how everything works and how the tortoises are doing.

New Outdoor Enclosure for limited space

I just about have this enclosure ready for the tortoises. I had a limited amount of space to use for my group of Burmese Stars, and wanted to take advantage of all the space I could since I was now using the last space I had for my weed garden and tortoise food it provided. Brenda is pleased...

www.tortoiseforum.org

That's nice. Are they outdoor year round?

 

[Tom]

Hello, I am looking for specific experience for outdoor care of juvenile leopard tortoise in Central Valley California, zone 9a. He is about 6in. I plan to build an enclosure outside with a heated hide. I see a lot of threads. However, none specific to my area. Any help/information is greatly appreciated.View attachment 314576

At 6 inches, I would have an outdoor enclosure, and a large indoor closed chamber. Use the outdoor enclosure during nice weather, and the indoor enclosure for winter and night time. I'd grow him another 2 or 3 inches before moving outside full time.

Whenever you do make the move to outside full time, you'll need something like this:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Volksdaven]

At 6 inches, I would have an outdoor enclosure, and a large indoor closed chamber. Use the outdoor enclosure during nice weather, and the indoor enclosure for winter and night time. I'd grow him another 2 or 3 inches before moving outside full time.

Whenever you do make the move to outside full time, you'll need something like this:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

I was checking that out, previously. Pretty slick. I am still trying to determine best location and way to provide shelter/power if/when needed.