Is it legal to own a desert tortoise?
While there is no legal limit to the number of desert tortoises a California resident may possess in state, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife strongly discourages having males and females together in captivity or breeding captive desert tortoises.
How do I register my desert tortoise?
The first step is to obtain a permit application form. PDF permit application forms are available from the California Turtle & Tortoise Club website. Click Desert Tortoise Permit Application to download the three-page permit application required by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.
How do you take care of a desert tortoise?
In order to thrive, adult desert tortoises must be kept outdoors in a large area. They should be provided with shelter from the sun and cold, and a place to retire at night. They need plenty of room to exercise and browse. If possible, give them the run of your entire yard.
How cold is too cold for a desert tortoise?
Anything less than 50 °F (10 °C) is too cold for a desert tortoise, except during hibernation, when the low temperature will need to be closely monitored and regulated.
Is it legal to own a tortoise?
There are a lot of exotic pets and species of endangered animals that are listed as “banned pets” in India. While you may think owning a parrot or a tortoise is harmless, keeping them as pets is not just unethical but illegal, and can land you in jail.
What to do if you find a tortoise in your backyard?
So, if you do find an injured turtle or tortoise it is best to check your car for a small, dark, secure box and carefully place the animal in the box until you can call the proper animal health representative or animal official. This can help prevent the animal from getting further injured or stressed out.
What is too cold for a desert tortoise?
Anything less than 50 °F (10 °C) is too cold for a desert tortoise, except during hibernation, when the low temperature will need to be closely monitored and regulated. Note that you don’t need to match the ground temperature of their natural habitat.
Do tortoises like to be held?
Tortoises do not generally enjoy being handled. Care should be taken to avoid dropping your tortoise whilst handling. They have very strong legs, so support your tortoise firmly at all times whilst handling.
Is there an adoption program for desert tortoises in Arizona?
The Tortoise Adoption Program administered by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was established to aid the welfare of tortoises already in captivity and insure the preservation of wild tortoises. The program is therefore dedicated to the well-being and survival of the desert tortoise throughout its range.
What do I do if I found a desert tortoise?
Tortoise Group no longer accepts pet tortoises from the general public. If you found a desert tortoise and don’t know what to do with it, please visit our rehoming site or the lost and found site. Tortoise Group will try to honor rehoming requests from current Tortoise Group members.
What happens to a desert tortoise when the custodian dies?
GTS or “Golden Tortoise Society” members can be assured their beloved desert tortoise pet will be moved to the top of the rehoming list following the custodian’s death if no person is designated or able to provide their care. Read More …
Are there different types of desert tortoises?
Recently the desert tortoise was split into 2 separate species.The Agassiz’s desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizi) lives in the Mojave deserts of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona west of the Colorado river. The Morofka’s desert tortoise (Gopherus Morafkai) resides in the Sonoran deserts of Arizona east…