California desert tortoises...  (CDT)

  
CDT Close UpDesert Tortoises are legal to own, but only with a permit issued by California Fish and Game.  It is illegal to remove them from, or return them to, the wild.

They are the official reptile of the State of California and listed as an endangered species.

Solitary by nature, they do well by themselves.  Captive breeding is illegal in California, so care must be taken to remove all possibility of mixing genders. 

Large Female Desert Tort

Desert Tortoise Conservation Poster     

The Desert Tortoise average size is 13-14˝, but can reach 15".  The front feet are quite muscular and used for digging, while the rear legs are stout and almost elephant-like. The mud brown, high-domed shell is well suited to this desert dweller.
These tortoises are found in dry, arid environments in California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico.  There is a Texas species as well.  They dig burrows which provide shelter from extreme heat in Summer and a place to hibernate in Winter.
Their diet consists of 90% grasses and weeds and they benefit from an occasional soaking.  The rest of their diet would include flowers, cactus and dark greens.  Incorrect diet will display in the formation of soft shell, or shell  pyramiding ("spiking.")  Poor diet and hydration may also contribute to the development of bladder stones.      

Desert Tortoise (and Texas Tortoise) Care Sheet

Hibernation Warning

Help sheet for keeping Desert Tortoises in San Diego County

California Desert Tortoise Permits (required)

Bladder Stones in Tortoises

The Importance of Sunlight

Quick and easy Tortoise House Plans

AVID Identification Microchips to protect your Tortoise

Info about Adoptions

Contact Us

 

Care pages...

Donations...

Follow us on Twitter:
@SanDiegoTurtle

  Like Us on Facebook

February 10th Meeting - Balboa Park
The SDTTS President's Annual "State of the Society" Report to the membership - biennial election of Society Officers - and a special "Turtle of the Month" presentation on Box Turtles.

Map and directions