Dear Wade, I agree with the previous. Like you, I kept snakes for over 40 years before "evolving legs" and enjoying tortoises. Husbandry with tortoises is more interactive, and I enjoy species of tortoises with "personality". I too live in the desert, so I would advise constructing artificial burrows with plastic or clay pipe, they must have privacy and retreat from intense Summer sun and Winter cold. Glue carpet or make the pipe easy for tortoises to climb up the gradient. I think Horsefields (Russians are a great choice, if they are healthy. Although mine are mostly wild caught, I have seen so many expire, that I would encourage you to go captive hatched. Start off with winners! I also breed and reccomend ibera type Greeks, and marginateds. All three can be "brumated", and that gives you a break from husbandry around the Holidays. All 3 thrive on weeds you can gather or grow. These 3 species are outgoing, reasonable size, and adaptive to your climate I would think. I hear Herrman's are great too, but I haven't personally worked with them. Check out the California Turtle and tortoise club web-site, also San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society. Both give good diet advice, and informative husbandry articles/care sheets. I learned plenty by reading Andy Highfield's books. Good luck, Vic

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