The leopard tortoise is one of the most popular types of tortoise to keep as a pet, mainly due to its attractiveness due to the patterns on its shell, from which it gets 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 as 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 gets cold during the winter, you’ll need enough space to keep your pet indoors for a few months each year.
Once you get past the temperature problem, most of your requirements in an outdoor enclosure aren’t too difficult to meet, but a common hurdle is the hidden box. At night or during bad weather, the tortoise will retreat to the hiding box to sleep or shelter, and it needs to be warm, insulated and not let in light. For a fully grown adult leopard tortoise, one of the best options is to convert a garden shed, although if this is done right and large enough, you could also house your tortoise in this shed over the winter.
It goes without saying that buying one or more leopard tortoises is a serious commitment. For starters, your new pet may well outlive you, and many people survive for more than 70 years. They are also not a cheap pet to have. Actually, buying one is not too expensive, although they obviously cost a lot more than a hamster. The main costs stem from your care, especially for people who live in colder climates. The prices of UVB lamps, a safe heat source, insulation for the fur box, and the energy to make use of all of these things can add up very quickly to make keeping one of these animals prohibitively expensive for many people.
All of this sounds pretty negative, but if you have the space and money, owning a leopard tortoise can be surprisingly rewarding. They are more entertaining than you think and have clear personalities. They will even become noticeably more affectionate with their owner than with strangers, so it’s possible to build a bond with one of these creatures, which can only be a good thing in a lifelong companion! If you’ve never had a tortoise before, then one of these is a good option, but you need to make sure you’re ready and have everything you need first.
