Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just saw a post from last week about desert tortoises that didn't get answered, so I'll answer it because I do like the desert torts.

I have five California desert tortoises currently. I enjoy them a lot and mine are very tame. Mine are around 10 to 12 years old. As far a what foods are best for them, it is the same with them as with any tortoise. They should get as much natural foods as possible. That is to say, weeds like dandelion and sow thistle and mallow. They also like many types of flowers, like roses and hibiscus. Certain types of cactus are also good for them. I don't know if it is practical for you, but it is a good idea to let weeds grow in the yard for the tortoises to eat. They will also eat most types of grass. Other than that, they will eat just about any type of vegetable from the store. Romaine, squashes, endive, chicory, are all suitabale for them. Things like spinich, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, and cabbage can be given, but not too frequently. Fruit is best given as an occasional treat because too much of the sugar that is in it will disrupt their digestive system by upsetting the natural balance of beneficial bacteria.

They do like to dig and live in long burrows in their natural habitat. If you do not provide an alternative dark, sheltered place for them to sleep and rest in, they will usually dig a tunnel eventually. I use those plastic "dogloo" houses that are made for dogs. They like them and this gives them the secure feeling they need so they won't dig as much. They are capable of digging a burrow about 15 feet long or more if given the chance, and it is possible that they can tunnel out of a yard. They can dig down to a depth of a couple of feet also. The dogloo makes them much less likely to do this.

They should definitley be hibernated after their second or third year. I do it in a refrigerator, but some people are freaked out by that. The fridge works great because it keeps them at just the right temperature so they sleep deeply and don't use up all of their stored fat.

A fridge? yah that is sort of odd, I'll ask some of the people at the Turtle club about it.. but that does sound like something to do. Thanks a lot for the reply

I'll get that igloo, I really don't want the little guy to dig out.. the place I'm next to has some vicious (if not outright feral) dogs that could tear a tort up despite its shell.

What size igloo?

I'll get on with helping to grow the weeds in the yard and I've been looking to get seeds from the tortoise forage mix site, perhaps even a catcus pad.
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1.4.1 Leos
1.1 Beardie
1.0 Burm
0.1 Common Boa
1.0 Bp
0.0.1 Bull snake

The fridge may sound odd, but it works really well. At least in my experience it has. Tortoises and turtles do better in hibernation if the temperature stays fairly stable at around 40 degrees. That way, they sleep deeply and won't wake up and use up their fat reserves. You can find out how to do it on the internet or Email me. I have posted how to do it several times on this and other boards.

The dogloo should be a size that fits the tortoise. A baby tortoise should have a very small one, bigger tortoise bigger dogloo, so on. You don't want it to be so big that they don't feel secure in it. You should put hay or chopped up dead grass in it so they can burrow into it for their sleeping quarters.

The tortoise forage mixes are good and you can also find out what weeds are good for them on the internet if you do a search. The thing about wild plants is that the calcium/phophorus ratio is usually perect and so they are very healthful for animals who eat them.

Watch out for those dogs! Grrrrrrrr.....