Hello, I am thinking about getting a tortoise. (or a few) I have recently moved back to CA and am now living in Bakersfield. I was wondering what species (if any) would do well here as an outdoor tortoise. The summers are hot here, often 100 and hotter. The winters are chilly, some frost.
I have kept and bred lizards outdoors when I lived in Orange County. I am OK with building enclosures, heated boxes, etc. I was hoping there are some species that might be able to handle this climate without many special needs.
I don't care what they look like, but would like to keep the largest torts that can live here. I have plenty of room and a safe yard.
Any thoughts?
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Best Tortoise for my area?
JeffHouston
Aug 09, 2008 01:06 AM
Replies (1)
VICtort
Aug 26, 2008 10:02 AM
You can do well in your area with T. greaeca-ibera, with T. marginata, and with A. horsefieldi(Russians). You could also do well with Desert tortoises provided you hibernate properly and start with healthy capive hatched stock. I find these species to be hardy in most of California (except the coast), and they should breed for you. You will be able to grow and find many weeds, spineless cacti, veggies for them in your favorable climate. good luck, Vic H.
