You have a young Texas Tortoise, also known as Berlandier's Tortoise. This is one of four types of type of Gopher Tortoises which occur in North America. How long have you had it and has it been exposed to any other pet reptiles?

Check out this Care Sheet link:

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Gberlandiericare.htm

More Photos:

http://www.greglasley.net/textortoise.html

I believe it is contrary to TX state law to collect or possess Texas Tortoises. See the last link below from Houston Zoo. You might want to speak to someone in the state wildlife dept. and ask them about that:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/txtort/

http://www.houstonzoo.org/en/cms/?1360

Good luck. Let me know what they tell you to do with the tortoise if you check with them. If it has never been in contact with other reptiles, they may tell you to take it back where it was found and let it go, but I am not sure. They may also tell you to give it to a nature center or a zoo. It is not something I hear much about these days.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Show Entire Thread ]