leopard tortoises?

Question

i was just wondering, as leopard tortoises are much bigger than some other tortoises are they more intelligent?
im getting one soon, and wanted to know if they get to know people as their owners?

Answer 1

Leopard tortoises are no smarter than other tortoises. They tend to be shy and not as friendly as others like Hermann's or Russians. But they're puuuuuurty! I have a Leopard right now and I have kept many other species of tortoises. The only issue with Leoaprds is finding enough grasses and weeds to feed in the winter and when it is full grown, it will be betwen 15-20". You'll need a large outdoor pen and big indoor enclosure if you live in colder climates.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Scientific Name: Geochelone pardalis
Size: On average, leopard tortoises reach about 16-18 inches and 40-50 pounds (although some reach up to 24 inches and 70 lbs).
Life Span: You can expect a leopard tortoise to live 50 years or more.
Feeding: Leopard tortoise are herbivorous grazers so their ideal diet is high fiber grasses and greens. Pesticide-free grass is good for grazing, and the diet should primarily consist of grasses such at timothay or orchard grass or hay. Small amounts of vegetables can be offered too. Don't feed foods high in oxalates (beet greens, chard, spinach) or fruit (can cause digestive upsets). Also, never feed dog or cat food or other animal protein.
Supplements: Calcium/vitamin D3 supplementation is recommended daily for leopard tortoises (D3 is especially important when housed indoors). Pieces of cuttlebone can also be provided for gnawing and extra calcium.
Housing - Outdoors: Outdoor housing is preferable for leopard tortoises where the climate allows. Daytime temperatures should be 80-90 F (27-32 C), with a drop at night to 65-75 F (19-24 C). They cannot tolerate cool or damp conditions. A large sturdy enclosure with protection from predators is necessary, along with shade, hiding spots, and access to a shallow pan of water (deep enough to soak in but shallow enough that drowning isn't a possibility). A dry grassy area that allows grazing is ideal.
Housing - Indoors: You may need to bring your leopard torotoises indoors for part or all of the year. Provide a large (4 feet by 8 feet minimum) enclosure. Grass hay makes an ideal substrate. A UVA/UVB lamp is vital. A basking spot at 95 F (35 C) should be provided, while the rest of the enclosure can be heated to 80-90 F (27-32 C) during the day and 65-75 F (19-24 C) at night. A shallow pan of water (deep enough for soaking but shallow enough to prevent drowning) should be provided.
Notes: Do not hibernate, although they may slow down in the cooler months.

Answer 3

I have found that the longer I have my leo the more personality he has. I got him as a baby, and he was very shy for a long time, but as he got used to me and other people around, he has become a lot less shy and shown a lot of personality. I personally really love this little guy and enjoy having him as a pet. He is my first tortoise (i've had aquatics and box turtles for much longer), and although I had to pay much more for him than the other guys, I think it was totally worth it.
I spent a year recently with with m y parents before getting married, and he got used to them being around (and they fed him a couple of times when I was away overnight) and would look to them if he was hungry, etc. :) He definitely recognizes people.

Answer 4

Animals in captivity will eat quite a number of issues which at the instant are not sturdy for them. canines and cats do not understand chocolate can kill them and tortoises do not understand lettuce will fill them up yet not grant the nutrition they like. As proprietors this is our accountability to grant them the wonderful meals. As you have been advised there is quite little nutrition in lettuce as this is principally water. attempt different leafy plant life as a replace and supply a touch at a time. They get excitement from dandelions yet while picked from the line-area or farmers fields confirm you rinse them nicely first.

Answer 5

I had one several years ago that was given to me by a woman who could no longer keep it. She certainly seemed to be "intelligent" at times, but at others I wasn't so sure.

She was able to recognize the people who fed her, and if she was hungry, she would go to them and get underfoot (and generally make a nuisance of herself) until she was fed. She was also quite comfortable coming around if you were sitting on the floor reading - she's come over and stare at what you were reading also. She had an odd fascination with feet, as though she had to climb over and step on every one she could.

She was also very curious, so if you'll be giving her the freedom to roam around, "tortoise-proofing" is advisable. This one was particularly attracted to things like orange heavy--duty extension cords (an no-no for chewing). I tried putting up a barrier (6 inches high so I could step over it) to keep her in just one room, but within a week she figured out how to get it out of her way and/or go over it.

They're rather stubborn at times, which is why I sometimes questioned her intelligence. If there was a direction she wanted to go, she'd head off that way and in there happened to be a wall, or chair she couldn't get under in the way, she'd keep plowing into it for a half hour or so insisting that "it" be the one to get out of her way. So if yours gets free roam, expect to see some scuffs and scratches on your walls.

If you have the choice of male or female, get a female they stay smaller.

Here's the source of the information that the other answer copied: http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesturtles/p/leopardtortoise.htm?terms=small+animal+supply Perhaps they aren't aware that they must post the source of their information when it's copied directly from another website, otherwise it's a violation of federal law to use it.

Answer 6

I think all tortoises are equally intelligent. They do become familiar with you, mine recognizes her name when I sing it to her. She cocks her head all cute and stares at me.
I would say they don't ever "love" you though.

Answer 7

I don't know much about tortoises but i do know things about turtles. if you have a tortoise long enough it will look up to you and it might care or love you. thats how my turtle is.