Leopard Tortoises Started Right
Joined on Jun 03, 2020
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Joined on Jun 03, 2020
51 Followers
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Jeanette M McKee
Riverside, CA, USA
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About
SELLER PROFILE:
I have been working with Leopard Tortoises, Stigmochelys Pardalis/Pardalis (SPp) & Stigmochelys Pardalis/Babcocki (SPb) since 2009. The (SPb) are the category of Leopard Tortoise that is the smaller more commonly found Leopard Tortoise. The Pardalis/Pardalis are the larger variety. My babies are "hybrids" of the two, creating what I believe to be the best of both varieties. I started with my “Leo” as a hatchling. All the available Tortoise husbandry information at that time, recommended raising Leopard Tortoises as a “desert” species in an open top, dry environment. I was lucky enough to read somewhere that hatchling Tortoises need a “humid hide” within which the baby can sleep and hide; and luckily Leo, who was quite shy as a baby, loved his hide. My boy Leo did grow with a rather smooth shell in spite of all the wrong things I did.
I eventually, after learning about the correct way to raise Leopard Tortoises, decided to raise these beautiful creatures to share them and the correct new husbandry information with others. Over time I acquired 3 adult females Ms Piggy (SPp/SPb), Scuter (SPp/SPb), and Pearl (SPp/SPb), with all having extensive pyramiding (big spikes on their shells) from being raised in a dry desert type environment. I also acquired along the way a second male, Kermit (SPp/SPp), who now spends most of his time living with the girls. Adult male tortoises do not live well together and each requires his own space. The males will endeavor to eliminate their rival by flipping him over, leaving him to bake in the sun. Females tend to be less aggressive, but can still be seen trying to dominate the food bowl. Tortoises are actually solitary animals and really don’t like the competition of any company. Outside of a breeding program, it is better to raise one Tortoise alone or in a group of 3 females to one male.
During the fall of 2019 I started incubating and hatching out babies from the eggs of my adult tortoises. Having only a few breeding females, allows me to know each and every baby individually. My operation therefore is small, giving me the opportunity to give my hatchlings the utmost care and attention resulting in beautiful, well started healthy hatchlings. I have closely followed the methods of other experienced successful breeders to ensure healthy tortoises with smooth shells. It is a time consuming effort and truly a labor of love. The hatchlings require twice a day soakings for the first two weeks and daily soakings for 30 minutes after that. Once the babies are over 100 grams soaking can be performed every other day.
Leopard Tortoises are the 4th largest tortoise in the world, averaging 10 - 18 inches long, weighing 9 - 30 lbs. with the females usually being the larger. In my opinion the Leopard Tortoise is also the most beautifully marked of the four largest tortoises. They do not dig burrows nor do they hibernate, making them one of the easiest Tortoises to keep. Obviously it is easier to raise these creatures in a region with milder winters. As babies, they thrive best when kept in a "closed chamber" type enclosure (with vents), that is a minimum of 24 x 48 in. This type of enclosure allows a higher humidity and is more easily heated. We like to refer to it as the 80/80 method. Never let the temps or humidity get below 80℉ or 80% humidity. After a few years these tortoises will require a large, safe outdoor enclosure a minimum of 10 ft x 10 ft for each adult tortoise with a heated night box for when temperatures get below 65℉. These animals when well kept, can be expected to be with you for a lifetime.
Happy Torting!
Store Policy
STORE POLICY:
Any aberrant physical appearance will be disclosed in a posted image or noted directly to you before you purchase. This includes scute count and shape. All tortoises for sale will have been eating, defecating and showing active growth before being shipped.
I place a vibrant, alert, Tortoise that is doing well, in the shipping container and expect that this is what you should find when you open the box. I grow babies to no less than 6-8 weeks of age when they have at least doubled their hatch weight, before I will sell them, no matter if it is an in-person pick-up, or shipped.
Any health issues must be mentioned to me within 24 hours of shipment arrival. Although I cannot warranty any live animal beyond a 24-hour period, I will do my best to help you with any health or husbandry issues that you may encounter. You assume complete responsibility for the animal from the moment you open the shipping box and verify a live and healthy arrival. I will do everything I can within reason to assist you.
I am not responsible for any veterinary expenses or costs incurred by the buyer for any Tortoise. If you take your Tortoise to a veterinarian, you do so entirely at your own expense.
PAYMENTS:
I ACCEPT PAY PAL/VENMO. (All major credit cards accepted through them). You don't need a Pay Pal account to make a purchase with Pay Pal. Prepayment is required with all orders.
SHIPPING:
I ship Fed Ex Priority Overnight to your closest Fed Ex Ship Center that accepts "live animals" on Tuesday & Wednesday with the exception of holidays. Delivery is usually by 9:00 - 10:30 AM, but may be later for some areas. Someone must be available to pick up shipments within four hours of arrival at the closest Fed Ex Ship Center. We are not responsible for carrier delays or mishandling resulting in DOA animals. If the animal(s) is dead or not visibly healthy upon arrival the customer must notify me of the deceased or unhealthy animal immediately upon receiving the animal(s). The arrival time will be determined by the tracking information Fed Ex provides online of the delivery. An email or text with a photo attached of the actual animal must be emailed within one hour of arrival or all guarantees are null and void.
I utilize Reptiles2You for shipping and the cost of overnight shipping is determined by the size and weight of the box and the zip code where the box is being sent.
Live arrival is only guaranteed if you collect from the closest “Fed Ex ship center” within 4 hours of arrival, preferably at 9:00 - 10:00am when they open. Live and visibly healthy arrival is only guaranteed when shipping temperatures at both ends are between 35°– 99F° for having the animal shipped to a Fed Ex Customer Center for pick up. Please let me know of any adverse weather conditions in your area when placing your order. (extreme heat or cold, snow/ice, storms). If the temperatures are extremely hot or cold I can hold your order until the weather is better.
They will be shipped in accordance with all regulations, as far as I am aware.
Please exam the outside of the box for any sign of damage or mishandling before you open it while you are still at the ship center; if there is any issue either on the outside or inside of the box send me high quality, in focus images, that depict your concern. A cell phone camera can make high quality photos.
When you arrive home, immediately place your baby Tortoise in a warm (95℉) soak for about 30 minutes. Make sure you keep removing the cool water and replace it with more warm water. I use a dedicated gravy baster to remove cooled and soiled water. Your infrared heat gun can help you keep an eye on the soaking water temperature. You will probably see your baby submerge his head and take a nice long drink. Your enclosure should be ready for your new arrival with temperature and humidity all set for at least a few days already. After the soak, place your baby near the food dish inside your enclosure with Fresh “greens” you have just made available. Keep handling to a minimum at first. Tortoises don’t like change, so expect him to be reserved for awhile. Enjoy a nice long life together.
You can contact me either by phone/text (909-855-0125) or email ([email protected]). If you have specific questions/requests, feel free to ask and I will respond accordingly.
Happy Torting!
MorphMarket's Default Store Policy
specifies any terms which have not been overridden by this Seller's stated policy.
Wholesale Policy
WHOLESALE STORE POLICY:
Any aberrant physical appearance will be disclosed in a posted image or noted directly to you before you purchase. This includes scute count and shape. All tortoises for sale will have been eating, defecating and showing active growth before being shipped.
I place a vibrant, alert, Tortoise that is doing well, in the shipping container and expect that this is what you should find when you open the box.
Any health issues must be mentioned to me within 24 hours of shipment arrival. Although I cannot warranty any live animal beyond a 24-hour period, I will do my best to help you with any health or husbandry issues that you may encounter. You assume complete responsibility for the animal from the moment you open the shipping box and verify a live and healthy arrival. I will do everything I can within reason to assist you.
I am not responsible for any veterinary expenses or costs incurred by the buyer for any Tortoise. If you take your Tortoise to a veterinarian, you do so entirely at your own expense.
PAYMENTS:
I ACCEPT PAY PAL/VENMO/ZELLE/SQUARE. (All major credit cards accepted through them). You don't need a Pay Pal account to make a purchase with Pay Pal. Prepayment is required with all orders.
SHIPPING:
I ship Fed Ex Priority Overnight to your closest Fed Ex Ship Center that accepts "live animals" on Tuesday & Wednesday with the exception of holidays. Delivery is usually by 9:00 - 10:30 AM, but may be later for some areas. Someone must be available to pick up shipments within four hours of arrival at the closest Fed Ex Ship Center. We are not responsible for carrier delays or mishandling resulting in DOA animals. If the animal(s) is dead or not visibly healthy upon arrival the customer must notify me of the deceased or unhealthy animal immediately upon receiving the animal(s). The arrival time will be determined by the tracking information Fed Ex provides online of the delivery. An email or text with a photo attached of the actual animal must be emailed within one hour of arrival or all guarantees are null and void.
I utilize Reptiles2You for shipping and the cost of overnight shipping is determined by the size and weight of the box and the zip code where the box is being sent.
Live arrival is only guaranteed if you collect from the closest “Fed Ex ship center” within 4 hours of arrival, preferably at 9:00 - 10:00am when they open. Live and visibly healthy arrival is only guaranteed when shipping temperatures at both ends are between 35°– 99F° for having the animal shipped to a Fed Ex Customer Center for pick up. Please let me know of any adverse weather conditions in your area when placing your order. (extreme heat or cold, snow/ice, storms). If the temperatures are extremely hot or cold I can hold your order until the weather is better.
They will be shipped in accordance with all regulations, as far as I am aware.
Please exam the outside of the box for any sign of damage or mishandling before you open it while you are still at the ship center; if there is any issue either on the outside or inside of the box send me high quality, in focus images, that depict your concern. A cell phone camera can make high quality photos.
When you arrive home, immediately place your baby Tortoise in a warm (95℉) soak for about 30 minutes. Make sure you keep removing the cool water and replace it with more warm water. I use a dedicated gravy baster to remove cooled and soiled water. Your infrared heat gun can help you keep an eye on the soaking water temperature. You will probably see your baby submerge his head and take a nice long drink. Your enclosure should be ready for your new arrival with temperature and humidity all set for at least a few days already. After the soak, place your baby near the food dish inside your enclosure with Fresh “greens” you have just made available. Keep handling to a minimum at first. Tortoises don’t like change, so expect him to be reserved for awhile. Enjoy a nice long life together.
You can contact me either by phone/text (909-855-0125) or email ([email protected]). If you have specific questions/requests, feel free to ask and I will respond accordingly.
Happy Torting!
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12 Leopard Tortoises
