Pets

Leopard tortoises as pets – right for you?

The leopard tortoise is one of the most popular types of tortoise to have as a pet, primarily because of its attractiveness due to the patterns on its shell, from which it takes its name in the first place. The pattern becomes less pronounced as the tortoise ages, but the adults still look pretty good, even if they are not as conspicuous as the young.

These are large tortoises and there are very few larger species that are commonly kept as pets. This can create some problems, since obviously not everyone has room for one of these animals in their garden. They also don’t hibernate, so if you live in an area that is cold during the winter, you will need enough space to keep your pet indoors for a few months out of the year.

Once you’ve gotten over the temperature issue, most of your requirements in an outdoor enclosure aren’t too difficult to meet, but a common obstacle is hiding. At night or during bad weather, the tortoise will take refuge in the leather box to sleep or take shelter, and it should be warmed up, insulated, and not let in any light. For an adult leopard tortoise, one of the best options is to convert a garden shed, although if this is done right and is large enough, you could also house your tortoise in this shed for the winter.

It goes without saying that buying one or more leopard tortoises is a serious undertaking. For starters, your new pet might outlive you, and many people will survive for more than 70 years. It is also not a cheap pet. In reality, buying one is not too expensive, although they obviously cost a lot more than what a hamster would cost. The main costs come from their care, especially for people who live in colder climates. Prices for UVB lamps, a safe heat source, insulation for the leather box, and the energy to make use of all of these things can add up very quickly and make owning one of these animals prohibitively expensive for many people.

This all sounds pretty negative, but if you have the space and the money, owning a leopard tortoise can be surprisingly rewarding. They are more entertaining than you think and they have clear personalities. They will even become noticeably more affectionate towards their owner than they are towards strangers, making it possible to bond with one of these creatures, which can only be a good thing in a lifelong companion! If you’ve never had a turtle before, then one of these is a good option, but first you need to be sure that it is ready and has everything you need.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *