Desert Tortoises

Photo azgfd.gov

Desert tortoises native to the Mohave and Sonoran desert have been protected since 1989, because they have dropped 90% in population in the wild.  It is illegal to capture a desert tortoise or to release a captive tortoise into the wild due to disease.  If you want to adopt one of these reptiles, which is possible due to captive breeding, you must make a huge commitment.  First, in captivity, desert tortoises can live 100 years, so provisions need to be made for the tortoise after your death.  Your back yard must be safe, with either a minimum 18'X18' enclosure with desert topsoil and grass, or a yard with desert topsoil capable of creating a burrow with 8" of topsoil over it for their hibernation, secure fencing, and free of dangers such as pools and dogs.  You must fill out an application and have an adoption specialist preview your yard before adoption is allowed.  If you move from the desert areas, you can turn him into an adoption service.  In the wild, a tortoise can go up to a year without water because he can absorb water from his bladder, but do not pick up a tortoise as he will empty his bladder of needed water when stressed.  Tortoises will create a basin in the soil to catch water and will sit near it when rain is expected.  Mating season is during the monsoons and hibernation is from September until April.   So, sorry, no adoptions until April.  As herbivores, they love romaine lettuce, and lack nutrition if only given iceberg lettuce.  Lessons learned.  Arizona Game and Fish Desert Tortoise Management