RecoveryTortoises
Leopard tortoise care guide
Stigmochelys pardalis
A large African grazing tortoise. Warm, bright and grass-fed, with more humidity than most keepers expect for hatchlings.
Terrestrial — floor space first
Leopard tortoise enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult leopard tortoise should live in at least 144" L × 72" W × 24" H; we build toward 240" L × 120" W × 24" H (20 × 10 × 2 ft, roughly 200 sq ft of floor and about a 2992-gallon glass equivalent).
Adults reach 40–70 lb; an outdoor grazing pen is the realistic answer.
- Hatchling / baby
- 48" L × 24" W × 14" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 96" L × 48" W × 18" H recommended · min 72" L × 36" W × 16" H
- Adult
- 240" L × 120" W × 24" H recommended · min 144" L × 72" W × 24" H
Temperature and heating
Halogen flood over a flat basking area, plus ambient room or shed heat.
- Basking / warm surface
- 100–105°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–95°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 75–80°F
- Night
- Not below 65°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 10–12% (UVI 4–6). Run lights on a 12–14 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 55–70% for youngsters, 40–60% for adults. Humid hide, damp substrate and weekly soaking.
Substrate and depth
Topsoil / coco coir blend. Depth: 6 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Large hide box
- Flat basking stone
- Soaking dish
- Grass and edible weed planting
Build list
- Large indoor pen or outdoor grazing enclosure — Grazers need distance to walk and forage.
- T5 UVB 12% + halogen flood — Strong UVB is essential for a fast-growing shell.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Bulk topsoil/coir — Covers a big footprint at usable depth.
Leopard tortoise FAQ
How big should an adult Leopard tortoise enclosure be?
At least 144" L × 72" W × 24" H, and we recommend building to 240" L × 120" W × 24" H — about 20 × 10 × 2 ft, or a 2992-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Leopard tortoise need?
Basking or warm surface 100–105°F surface, warm side 85–95°F, cool side 75–80°F, night Not below 65°F. Halogen flood over a flat basking area, plus ambient room or shed heat.
Does a Leopard tortoise need UVB?
T5 UVB 10–12% (UVI 4–6). Photoperiod: 12–14 hours.
What humidity does a Leopard tortoise need?
55–70% for youngsters, 40–60% for adults. Humid hide, damp substrate and weekly soaking.
What substrate is best for a Leopard tortoise?
Topsoil / coco coir blend, at a depth of 6 in.
How big does a Leopard tortoise enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 48" L × 24" W × 14" H recommended, minimum 36" L × 18" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own leopard tortoise record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.