LeopardLeopard tortoisestortoises Heat and Light This species requires constant access to very high levels of illumina- tion and constant warmth. For light, we recommend that several high quality full spec- trum tubes or UV-Heat A typical adult leopard tortoise lamps are used on all in- door terrariums. An in- · From Southern Africa candescent spot lamp or infra-red dull emitter · Do not hibernate The Leopard tortoise is a large and attractively may also be required to marked tortoise which has a wide distribution in provide basking heat to sub-Saharan Africa, including recorded localities in · 100% herbivorous diet ensure normal activity southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Eastern Africa (including and feeding. A tempera- Natal), Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and · From dry grassland Southwest Africa. In this species males may attain a ture gradient is vital, greater size than females, a characteristic shared habitats from about 22 °C to 30 ° with certain other members of the genus Geoche- C (about 72 °F to 86 °F) lone, including Galapagos tortoises. Large examples · Does not tolerate may be 60 cm (over 2 feet) long and weigh over 35 is adequate for this spe- damp or cold cies. Leopard tortoises kg (about 80 lbs.). may be kept out of This tortoise favours semi-arid, thorny to grassland · Grows very quickly doors in some areas, habitats. It is, however, also found in some regions Southern California, for featuring a higher level of precipitation. Not surpris- · Requires extensive ingly, given its propensity for grassland habitats it example, but in northern outdoor and indoor regions outdoor mainte- grazes, extensively upon mixed grasses. It also fa- vours the fruit and pads of the prickly pear (Opuntia accommodation nance may only be pos- sp.), succulents and thistles. It captivity it is a com- sible for a very limited mon error to feed too much 'wet' food such as let- · Regular soaking or period each year. Leop- tuce, tomatoes and fruit; in reality this tortoise re- ard tortoises can make quires a coarse, high fibre diet. Feeding excessive constant access to fruit or 'soft' foods frequently leads to repeated flag- good pets – but only if ellate and other gut problems such as colic, most water recommended you have the space and probably as a result of increased gut motility. Leop- can provide the correct ard tortoises will graze happily on lawn grass if pre- environment. sented with the opportunity and this seems to pre- vent most such problems at source. Meat products should never be given to Leopard tortoises. They in- Tortoise Trust variably lead to excessive growth, poor bone forma- tion, dangerously high blood-urea levels, bladder BM Tortoise 'stones' and liver problems. Due to their prodigious London rate of growth, their demand for calcium and min- eral trace elements is high. A calcium-D3 supple- WC1N 3XX ment should be provided daily. WWW.TORTOISETRUST.ORG Further details on keeping & breeding Leopard tortoises are available from the Tortoise Trust. .