Breadzone
Desert Tortoise
Our Tortoises
Desert Tortoises
We moved to the desert in 2000 and, from the beginning, we've be fascinated by the wildlife. At the top of the list has always been the endantered Desert Tortoise (Gopherus Agassizii). We listened to the locals as they told us about 'back then' when you could expect to see several of them over the spring and summer season. That was before a respiratory disease killed 90% of them and civilization has taken care of many more. Intitially, after buying our home, across from open desert, we would see a couple a year. Sadly, tho, it had been 3 years since our last siting before spotting one this spring.
Last spring a long time friend had to leave the state. Because the Desert Tortoise cannot be transported across state lines she asked us if we would take Cesar, one they had kept for the last 10 years. We immediately said yes and applied for the license to be transferred. Yes, license. The State Fish and Game have to grant a license to keep a rescued tortoise.
First, we had to build the proper enclsure. There must be a 16" solid barricade to prevent them seeing out (if they can see they will try to escape...a danger due to illness and predators) and there also must be a 12" barrier going down so that they don't dig under. You need enough room for them to get exercise, including climbing challenges (we added a small pedestrian bridge for this).
Then we had to research food. What plants were good, what weren't. What to supplement with since there wasn't enough grazing material. Leafy greens, summer squashes, native plants, rose petals, and tortoise pellets make up his diet. .And since he does brumate (reptile version of hybernating) we have to make sure to stop feeding him in October so he has time to process everything before his winter nap.
Last week we received a call that we had been picked to adopt another tortoise. Norbert is 2 years old and, because he is still a baby, he has to be kept inside to prevent predators (like birds of prey) from scooping him up.
The one thing we have been surprised at is how much personality these guys have. They have brought a bit of zen to our lives as well as a lot of humor.
Copyright 2014 Breadzone. All rights reserved.