How to Take Care of a Desert Turtle

A desert tortoise in Mexico's Sonora Desert.

The desert tortoise is sometimes referred to as a desert turtle, but there are big differences between a tortoise and a turtle.
Turtles live mostly in the water and are outfitted with webbed feet and a streamlined shell to make them effective swimmers. Tortoises live on land in dry habitats, and they have round feet and powerful legs that help them climb over obstacles and dig for water and food.
Desert tortoises are found in the Mojave and Sonora deserts in North America, and they are listed as a threatened species in the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, and as a threatened species by four western states including California.
Because they are protected by federal and state laws, you must have a permit to keep one as a pet.

Things You'll Need

• Large, secure yard with grass and weeds Shelter Shade Shallow water dish Chopped vegetables Cooked egg shells Cuttlebone

Instructions

1. Provide shelter. Tortoises need a place to cool off during the hottest part of the day, and a safe place to rest at night. A roomy, three-sided wooden box open on the bottom and covered on the top makes a good tortoise shelter. They will dig their own nest under the box. Provide shade during the day. A tree or shrubbery is best, but an awning or covered patio will work too.

2. 

   Provide food. In a roomy yard with grass and weeds such as dandelions, a desert tortoise will be able to forage for almost everything he needs. Supplement your animal's diet with dark, leafy greens such as collard and mustard greens, and squash and carrots. Tortoises also like green beans, peas, turnips, lentils, cooked potato and cooked brown rice.
   Don't feed it dog or cat kibble, or any other kind of commercial pellet or kibble food.
   Tortoises use a tremendous amount of calcium to grow and maintain bones and their shells. Supplement with a cuttlebone and peeled shells from hard-boiled eggs (cooked without salt). Don't feed spinach or any of the cruciferous vegetables, which some experts say inhibit the absorption of calcium---a necessary nutrient to maintain bone and shell health. Tortoises appreciate fruit occasionally, but all pits and seeds must be removed. Highly acidic fruits such as tomatoes and citrus should not be fed to newly-hatched tortoises. Tortoises also like to eat prickly pear cactus.

3. Provide water in a shady location. A shallow dish large enough for your tortoise to climb into comfortably, such as a tray used to catch water from flower pots, will work. Keep 1/2 inch of water in it at all times so he can drink and soak.

4. Watch for signs of illness or injury. Tortoises can become ill with upper respiratory infections that are easily recognized. Mucous may bubble from your tortoise's nose, or it might run, and he may become lethargic. The infection can be cured if caught early and treatment is given by a veterinarian with experience caring for tortoises.
   They can also become injured from rocks and other sharp objects in soil, or from encounters with predators such as ravens or coyotes. Wounded animals should be treated by a veterinarian. Any change in behavior should be reported to your veterinarian---it could be a sign of illness or injury.

5. 

   Allow hibernation with caution. The Tortoise Trust (see Resources) recommends a tortoise not be allowed to hibernate more than 20 weeks, and don't allow a very young tortoise, or one that is sick, injured or that you think might be underweight, to hibernate. To prevent hibernation, bring your tortoise indoors and keep him warm, at least 75 degrees F.
   As the days cool and get shorter---early to mid October in the tortoise's natural habitat---you'll see him growing lethargic and eating less. He'll probably dig his own burrow, but make sure it's a safe place that won't flood. If your yard is not well drained or your tortoise has selected a place to burrow that will flood, you may need to provide an insulated shelter, such a small dog house with a heavy layer of leaves and a piece of heavy canvas to cover the entrance.

6. Make sure your yard is safe and secure. Tortoises are accomplished diggers, and you may need to bury fencing around the perimeter of your yard to keep him from wandering away. Do not tether your tortoise, drill holes in his shell or tie him to a tree. They must have exercise and be allowed to forage for their own food in your yard.
   Make sure predators such as dogs and coyotes can't reach your tortoise, especially at night when they are sluggish.
   There are several kinds of plants that are poisonous to tortoises, such as oleander, Shasta daisies, spider mums and many others. See Resources for a list. Make sure your yard is free of poisonous plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Tortoises have their own vitamin supplements including Vionate and Herptivite. They're especially useful if you'll be keeping your tortoise indoors over the winter to prevent him from hibernating.

• It is illegal to disturb tortoises in their habitats and to remove them from their habitats.

Resources

• The Tortoise Trust---tips on hibernation and feeding
• California Turtle and Tortoise Club
• Desert Tortoise Diet sheet
• Plants Poisonous to Tortoises