Leopard tortoise

Leopard Tortoise for sale

We have some fantastic captive-bred leopard tortoise for sale.  The Pardalis Babcocki locale is known for being smaller than their Giant South African cousin.  Giant south African leopard tortoise are also known as the pardalis pardalis leopard tortoise.  We have hatchings, well started babies (recommended over fragile hatchlings) and cute and plump yearlings.  The leopard tortoise is divided into 2 subspecies.

Pardalis Babcocki for sale

The most common Pardalis Babcocki is easier to locate for sale and cheaper in cost.  The babcocki leopard tortoises for sale grows from 11-16″.  Even rarer, and more impressive is the Giant South African Leopard tortoise.  Also known as the Pardalis Pardalis, the giant south African leopard tortoise can grow to lengths up to 18-20″.

Leopard Tortoises for sale 

The leopard tortoise for sale is the second largest tortoise native to Africa. Only the African spurred tortoise is larger. Two subspecies are generally recognized. Stigmochelys pardalis babcocki is the most common species of pet leopard tortoise for sale in the pet trade. It has a large natural range resulting in geographic variations in size, color and temperature tolerance. Stigmochelys pardalis pardalis is from South Africa and Namibia.  The giant South African leopard tortoise can be distinguished from more common with the naked eye. Because it is generally darker in color, has speckled skin, and more than 1 dot on some of the vertebral scutes.  Also, the Giant south African may not be as high domed and generally grows 1.5 times larger.

Leopard Tortoise Size

Adult leopard tortoises for sale measure from 10 to 18 inches long depending on geographic origin.  Also, size is related to the subspecies of the tortoise. In contrast, the South African subspecies, may grow to 24 inches.  Also interesting, the giants from Ethiopia and Somalia may approach 30 inches. Keep in mind that Females often grow larger than males.  This is not always the case, however, depending on the origin of the specimen.  Even more perplexing is that this may be reversed, or male and females may be of similar size. Due to wide geographic variations, there are no set standards. Because males may always be distinguished from females by their concave plastron and their larger tail.

Leopard Tortoise for sale – Lighting and Temperature

Leopard tortoises do not hibernate. In parts of their range, they may experience freezing temperatures and seek shelter in animal burrows.  Also in most of their range, they experience a much narrower range of temperatures. Generally speaking, that’s between 70 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

For indoor care of a leopard tortoise, temperatures should be maintained between 75 and 90 degrees.  Provide a basking spot of 95 degrees. Secondly, depending on the indoor air temperatures, a heat light may be required at night or during the day. Hot spots are important for the tortoise to thermoregulate and raise its temperature to optimal levels for digestion. Most importantly, exposure to natural sunlight or UVB light plays an important role in how the body absorbs and uses calcium. Above all, UVB light or natural sunlight allows the tortoise to produce vitamin D3.

Vitamin D3 is critical to the tortoise in its ability to absorb and use the available calcium. UVB can be obtained from fluorescent tubes specially made for reptile use or from mercury vapor bulbs, which also provide some heat. Lastly, if fluorescent tubes are used for UVB, a separate light may be required for heat for your baby leopard tortoise for sale.

Leopard Tortoises for sale – Availability

Captive-bred leopard tortoises are generally available. Import of wild caught specimens into the United States was banned in 2000 due to concerns from a tick with heartwater disease found on wild specimens. Before the ban leopard tortoises were commonly imported, and many people currently breed leopard tortoises, however Stigmachelys pardalis pardalis is less common in collections than Stigmachelys pardalis babcocki.

Leopard Tortoises for sale – leopard tortoise Life Span

Leopard tortoises live between 50 and 100 years in the wild.

More than just Leopard tortoise for sale