Little leopard tortoises enjoying a munch indoors today, as the weather is awful.
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Leopard torts.
- Thread starter David Harmon
- Start date
Very pretty. You're doing a nice job with the tortoises.
Thanks, think I've got there now, eating well, humidity is 75% basking spot 99f and the cool part is 26-28c but they sleep a lot is that normal for 6months? Also calcium question how much a week on food?
Looking good. really nice marbling going on with the patterns. Give calcium once or twice a week, dusted on food. Get them out in direct sunlight for a few hours each week when possible. They will fall into a regular pattern of active in the morning, naps and active in the later afternoon again, which mimicks how they act in nature. If they rarely move, sleep all the time then you need to make some changes like temps, lighting, or outdoor time.
Hello,
I've been giving the calcium twice a week sprinkled on the food, I've been trying to get them out in sun as much as possible, my lighting is on 14hour day and is UVB, the heating is ok but I hardly see them under the basking spot, and you say changes but which should I try? As soon as you soak them in lukewarm water there active eat then sleep or just want to hide. Same habit outdoors.
hmmm, MIne don't stay under the heat or directly under the basking lamp either. You could try some changes in the enclosure like adding a few small live plants for them to explore around, add some hills or small caves. Sounds like you have the setup correct, so try tweaking some stuff I guess to change their routine. They will get more active as they age, babies in nature hide most of the time because they are easy prey.
thanks greg, what plants would you recommend in the uk that is? so its normal for them to sleep/hide? can i ask you what temps you have and lighting?
I keep my babies inside until I find new homes for them. My adults stay outside a majority of the year. For inside, I keep the enclosure around 29C, a little cooler in the corners. I keep a UVB light on 12 hours a day. I don't know any specific plants. I don't dress my enclosure up much since they little guys don't stay there long. I have seen some wonderful enclosures on this forum though. really beautiful and exciting ideas. There is a list of good/bad plants you can use off the forum, then just go to a plant store and get a few. My adults love ferns they can climb under to hide, they like about any plant they can get under during the heat of the day. Only problem is when they get older, they eat the plants they like also. flowers, stems, vegatables - anything and everything!
Yes, it is very normal for them to act like they would in nature. My adults follow the same routine outside also - up early in hte morning to eat, hide and sleep during mid-day, then active again later afternoon before going to sleep before dusk.
Yes, it is very normal for them to act like they would in nature. My adults follow the same routine outside also - up early in hte morning to eat, hide and sleep during mid-day, then active again later afternoon before going to sleep before dusk.
