For tortoise, terrapin and turtle care and conservation
HABITAT: Savanna with vegetation
SUBSPECIES: Two are at present recognised:
FEATURES:
The carapace is highly domed and contoured, with black splashes over a yellow background, resembling a real leopard skin. Both head and limbs are a dirty yellow; the fore- limbs have a series of heavy protective scales and on the female the scales on the heels of the back legs are enlarged to form digging claws. The animal has two to three horny tubercles in addition to a horny pin on the tail. It can weigh up to 43 kg, but averages 10-15 kg and may have a carapace, measured as a horizontal line, of 600mm. During courtship males compete by pushing and butting rivals; husky cries are uttered by the male during copulation. Clutches are from 5 to 30 eggs, deposited in nests dug by the female, sometimes in instalments. Hatching time under low humidity, is long; from 4 to 18 months have been recorded. The animals are very territorial and are recorded to have a homing instinct. The Western Leopard Tortoise is slightly smaller and darker coloured than the Eastern variety.
FEEDING:
NATIVE: grass, various succulents, crassulas, thistles, prickly pear, pumpkins, beans, watermelons and toadstools.
CAPTIVE: the Leopard Tortoise is mainly vegetarian and prefers green vegetables to fruits but some will eat some form of meat and a mixed diet is therefore advisable for the adults. The babies and juveniles will need a calcium rich diet (watercress + Nutrobal supplement) and need roughage in the diet (grass).
The following food can be tried: beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, clover, dandelion, endives, grass, lettuce, kale, sprouts of the pulses. Of the fruits try apricots, bananas, blackberries, dates, figs, gooseberries, mandarins, mango, passionfruit, peach, pineapple, plum, orange, paupau, tomato and watermelon. Offer cuttlefish bone.
HUSBANDRY HINTS FOR CAPTIVE LEOPARD TORTOISES IN BRITAIN.
The Leopard Tortoise needs exercise and whenever the weather allows, must be given the freedom of a large lawn where it will be able to crop the grass. Water should be available at all times; some of the animals actually enjoy swimming. This tortoise loves heat and basking, although shade should be provided as well as a waterproof shelter. A heated greenhouse is ideal for this type of tortoise. It can stand extremes of temperature, although it should not drop below 65°F (18°C) for too long as then the digestive system might suffer. Access to natural sunlight is essential for prevention of shell and eye disorders. Hatchlings and juveniles should be kept in a large roomy vivarium, preferably in a thermostatically controlled environment of 70-80 °F. Recently imported adults must also be kept warm. As the food you offer might be totally unfamiliar provide some hay or freshly cut grass and try to find some exotic fruits (prickly pear, melon etc) to start it feeding. Other foods can later be introduced into the diet. The animals are voracious feeders once acclimatised. Depending on the region they come from some of the Leopard Tortoises do aestivate in their natural habitat between May and November. It is unwise to try to imitate their habitat and in Britain the animals should not be hibernated or aestivated but overwintered in a suitable environment.