Stigmochelys pardalis (Leopard tortoise)

Origin: They are found in the savanna and shrublands of Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa.

Length: 30 to 70 centimeters
Weight: 13 to 40 kilograms
Lifespan: 30 to 75 years
The leopard tortoise gets its name from its shell, which is yellow-brown with black spots. It resembles the pattern of a leopard.

Care
Experience: Beginner tortoise keeper
Food: Vegetables, herbs, special tortoise food.
Feeding adults: Daily
Feeding young ones: Food available at all times
Water bowl: Yes
Water changes: Daily
Nutrition
The leopard tortoise is a good eater that lives on a diet of various plants. In captivity, you can feed them a diet of various vegetables, supplemented with fruit in moderation. Suitable vegetables include bok choy, endive, tomatoes, Chinese cabbage, spinach, strawberries, broccoli, and meadow flowers. For fruit, you could consider apples, tangerines, pears, and melons. It is also recommended to have hay available at all times. Just like with our own tortoises, the diet should be varied, so try to alternate between different fruit and vegetable choices.

To ensure the diet fully meets the animal's needs, additional vitamins and calcium should be provided. This can be achieved by adding extra vitamins to the food.

Water
The leopard tortoise inhabits dry habitats and therefore only needs a small water dish that is changed daily.

Cleaning
As herbivores, they also defecate like true herbivores. For this reason, it's wise to remove feces from the enclosure daily and the soiled substrate once a week. It's also wise to thoroughly clean the entire enclosure a few times a year to prevent the buildup of germs and bacteria.

Handling
You will occasionally need to handle your tortoise, and this should be done correctly to avoid injury or stress. Handle the tortoise by grasping it from both sides, in the center of its shell. This is best done if they are unable to scratch your hand with their paws. If they do, the tortoise can push off on your hand, with all the consequences that entails. In addition, always make sure you wash your hands before handling and make sure you handle the turtle with both hands.

Housing
Minimum enclosure size for one pair: 1.80*1.20*80
Daytime temperature (warm side): 32-35°C
Daytime temperature (cool side): 26-29°C
Nighttime temperature: Should not fall below 21°C
Light hours: 12 hours
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Substrate: loam-sand mixture
The leopard tortoise requires quite a bit of space. However, this space doesn't need to be lavishly furnished. Leopard tortoises don't dig or climb much, so most structures in the enclosure will just get in their way. They do, however, appreciate hilly terrain, which they use for egg-laying or basking. Leopard tortoises prefer warm, cold, wet, and dry areas. Warm areas can be created with a spotlight. Cold areas can be created by using shade. Moist areas can be created by using a humidified hide box.

Like other tortoise species, leopard tortoises cannot produce vitamin D without UV light. You can provide them with UV light by using the aptly named UV lamp and by adding extra vitamins to their food.

Behavior
Diet: Herbivorous, so they only eat fruits and vegetables.
Lifestyle: Testicular & active during the day
Temperament
Leopard tortoises are calm tortoises that can be very shy. Therefore, contact is discouraged. This is for the sake of the animal's peace and quiet.
Points of attention
Male leopard tortoises may fight with each other. In the wild, this is not a problem, but in captivity, it can lead to wounds between them. They will only do this during mating season; therefore, males will defecate on each other during mating season.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The leopard tortoise is classified as a CITES II species. To own this tortoise, you need CITES or transfer papers. You should receive these upon purchase.
One-time costs: These include the costs of the enclosure, lighting, heating, water tank, and decorations. This can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand euros. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the cost of food, which amounts to several tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: There are costs involved if your tortoise accidentally becomes ill or your equipment breaks down.