Many people think it is ok to house sulcata and leopard tortoises. In the grand scheme of things, the two tortoise species are nearly the same in care. However, due to the size difference between sulcata tortoises and leopard tortoises, they should not be housed together. Plus, the two species can become territorial. Both sulcatas and leopard tortoises do best being housed individually or in larger groups, generally not in pairs.
Do Not Mix Tortoise Species
If you want to raise a sulcata tortoise and a leopard tortoise, it is best if you keep them separate. Keep babies in separate enclosures, and house adults in separate parts of your yard.
There are many reasons why you should NOT mix tortoise species.
- Bacteria that is normal in one species may fatal to the other.
- Different species of have different resistance and suceptibility to diseases and illnesses.
- Size. Sulcatas are larger than leopard tortoises. Sulcatas are also quite territorial, so they can use their size to bully and stress the smaller leopard tortoise.
Compare Sulcata Tortoise and Leopard Tortoise
In regards to care, sulcatas and leopard tortoises are quite similar. You’ll find slight differences in a basking temperature, but ambient temperature, lighting, humidity and diet are all essentially the same.
| Sulcata Tortoise | Leopard Tortoise | |
| Diet | Grass, Hay, Weeds, Greens | Grass, Hay, Weeds, Greens |
| Heating | 80 – 90-degrees F | 80 – 90-degrees F |
| Basking Temp | 100-degrees F | 95-degrees F |
| Humidity | Up to 3-5 years: 80%+ | Up to 3-5 years: 80%+ |
| Lighting | 10-12 hours full spectrum lighting per day | 10-12 hours full spectrum lighting per day |
| UVB | Yes | Yes |
When comparing sulcata and leopard tortoises, you’ll find the major differences are in size and personality.
Sulcata and Leopard Tortoise Size Difference
Both are larger tortoises. Sulcata tortoises are the third largest tortoise species. Leopard tortoises are the fourth largest tortoise species.
Sulcatas average about 2.5-feet long and 80-110-pounds, whereas leopard tortoises average about 10-18-inches and 40-50-pounds. Depending on locale, you can find sulcatas upwards of 200-pounds or leopard tortoises upwards of 80-pounds.
Basically, even though leopard tortoises are the fourth largest tortoise species, they are still half the size of sulcata tortoises.
Sulcata and Leopard Tortoise Personalities
On average, sulcata tortoises are more outgoing and leopard tortoises are more shy. With time, leopard tortoises can become less shy toward you.
Keep in mind, that’s a general personality. Each individual tortoise’s personality will vary. You may also find that the males in both species, in general, are more outgoing than females.
A good comparison would be that sulcatas are more like a puppy, whereas leopards would be more like a mature dog.
Sulcatas are known to be more destructive than leopard tortoises.
