> Hi Nash,
>
> You've posted this message in two places (it's easily done), and I've just
> answered it on other thread you posted on, but here is a cut and paste of
> what I said there (it's probably best to reply on that other one, as that
> was a new thread you started) and Oh dear, I think I accidentally deleted your text when replying here -- although your photo is still here. Anyway, here is the link to the other thread:
>
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site ... p=957#p957
And here is the cut and paste:
>
> Hi Nash,
>
> They are lovely little leopards, and I guess we are all noticing the
> approach of winter (my Horsfields just won't wake up in the morning -- but
> they are hibernating species and it's natural for them to wind down.
>
> Ahh, entertainment. I don't think there is anything really (although I know
> several people who say that a tortoise will push a golf ball around and
> sort of play with it). I think the main thing you can do to keep them awake
> and interested is to give them as big an enclosure as possible, with lots
> of interest in it (rocks to walk around and over, different textures,
> etc.). If a tortoise can see from one end of its enclosure to the other
> without obstruction, it gets bored, so break up the sight lines by putting
> objects in its way. You could even do something in a spare room -- plastic
> sheeting on the floor to stop wee going through, walls of breeze blocks or
> bricks or anything they can't push over, and a good heat and light (uvb)
> bulb in there for them to bask under. Or just an enclosure that is much
> larger than an average vivarium. When they get bigger, you will need a
> larger enclosure for them anyway, as Leopards can easily get up to 18"
> long and weigh 18kg -- and many grow much larger than that (they're the
> fourth largest species of tortoise in the world).
>
> Vivariums aren't really the greatest places for tortoises, as it's hard to
> get a good variation in temperature in there from one end to the other,
> which is what they need (30C at one end and 20C at the other end, measured
> at tortoise shell height). When you lifted them up this morning and they
> were cold, did you then put them under the basking lamp to warm up, and
> were they OK then?
>
> Straw isn't great for sleeping in as if your tortoises wee, it gets soaked
> up by the straw and then mould develops, and it also can have sharp edges
> that can cause eye injuries or irritation if eaten. Really the substrate
> you've got is perfect for them and easily cleaned. If you want something to
> make an different texture in an area, you can use ReadiGrrass. This is a
> natural dried grass (smells lovely), and can be bought at most pet shops,
> and because a Leopard's diet should be at least 70% grass, they can eat it
> too, and it's easily replaced if the tortoises wee or poo on it. It's a
> good addition to the winter diet. I wouldn't put Readi Grass (or straw)
> under the heat lamp though, as if a bulb bursts it could catch fire.
>
> I hope that helps. You've got lovely little Leopards, and it looks like
> you've set up a nice home for them. If you keep them warm in the daytime
> with good high light levels, they should be fine over the winter, and if
> you can add new areas of interest in their enclosure that will encourage
> them to explore a bit. Let us know how you get on.
>
> Nina