[header] How to care for a leopard tortoise [title] Buy a healthy tortoise-if you know of a reliable, reputable pet store that specializes in reptiles, they may have one for you. [step] Better yet, contact a tortoise breeder and get one directly from them. You can also get one at a reptile expo. 
In either case, examine your new pet carefully before buying it. Make sure that its eyes are clean and glossy (not cloudy or filmy) and that its fecal droppings are not too runny.