Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I'm new here and have a question. I am relocating from the suburbs of Los Angeles to Boise, Idaho. Will I be able to take my desert tortoise (I've had for 36 years) to Idaho with me if he is housed in the garage during the winter? Boise, Idaho is considered the high desert. Boise does get some snow in the winter, and can reach 100 degrees during the summer.

Please help me with any tips.

Thanks!

Cheryl

Dear Cheryl,

You have some serious issues to consider. Winter is the real thing there, you would have to carefully consider hibernation options, not like L.A. county. Your Spring will come later, reducing the number of foraging days possibly, and then it gets Hot, it may change the cycle your tortoise is accustomed to. I am told that tortoises moved Eastward from home ranges have a poor record, seemingly due to increased humidity etc.
You also need to consider the fact that G. agasizzi is Federally Listed Endangered Species, and legality of moving it, etc. I would try to give it to someone you trust, locally or within tortoise range, and maybe get it back if/when you return. Still, you can probaly move it and do OK, but it will require more effort than where you are living now. I know So. Utah gets cold in the Winter, they are a tough breed within certain limits. Gppd luck, I hope you make the best decision. vic h.

Thank you for the help. I'll tell you a bit about the care I have always given him. He has never been ill, no bubbly nostrils, I feed him properly and never iceberg lettuce. Once a month in the summer, I do give him "junk food Sunday" and he has a big slice of watermelon. He has a "condo" which is a 3 sided wooden box about 3 feet long, 8 inches high. I keep carpet in there year long and change it when he soils it. He sleeps on his own in the condo almost every night. And when I see no activity from him, I take the condo into the garage for the winter. I would be able in Boise to take the condo inside the house (in the laundry room), and since I don't like to keep the heat on in the house very long, I don't think it would disturb his hibernation.

His new yard will be totally fenced in (vinyl fencing), and he has never been much of a digger. He would always have access into the garage and the cool pavement in the summertime. There is no swimming pool in the yard either.

After 36 years together, he knows me and will will follow me around the yard when I pick up after Naomie (gentle Golden Retriever).

It would break my heart to have to leave him with someone, and to be honest, I wouldn't trust anyone to give him the care I give him. But I want what is best for Bourgeosie Bordeaux.

Thanks again for the help, and I'd appreciate any input from other desert tortoise owners.

Cheryl

Suggestion: get weather data, comparing the mean average temps, the extremes, the number of Sunny "tortoise" friendly days, compare where you are going to where you are and/or good desert tortoise habitat. Will there be enough days for healthy living, to carry out normal functions? Compare humidity levels. Can you set something up with lights indoors if needed to compensate for poor weather? You might want to create an artificial burrow,in case it suddenly gets cold at night/frosts. Or a very well insulated tortoise hide box. Think about a good way to hibernate him, with steady temps of around 45-50 f. Good luck, you obviously love your tortoise and I am sure you can find a way, but it may be some more work.

Your tortoise is listed as threatened by the ESA. I strongly suggest researching the necessary permits required to cross state lines.
Lacey act violations are not fun at all.
Civil penalties up to $10,000 per each violation or maximum criminal sanctions of $20,000 in fines and/or up to five years imprisonment. All plants or animals taken in violation of the Act are subject to forfeiture as well as all vessels, vehicles, aircraft, and other equipment used to aid in the importing, exporting, TRANSPORTING, selling, receiving, acquiring, or purchasing of fish or wildlife or plants in a criminal violation of this chapter for which a felony conviction is obtained where the owner should have known of the illegal transgression.

OMG! I will have to check and see. I don't want to break the law. Thank you so much for this valuable information.

Cheryl