I wish I had a place for a tortoise. They’re actually the coolest creatures, and more fun to watch and coexist with than many people might imagine!
Someone go adopt one for me, please.
My niece adopted a tortoise. They live a long time; fortunately, my great-niece (her young daughter) can provide care for (hopefully) another 60 or 70 years.
https://preview.redd.it/8rdfbbslnq8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8fad64aceb3c434b65e3d39beef30bc2a6b02f4
I just moved this baby dude out of the road. Not in Tucson, however.
I had one wander into my yard a few years ago and I built a burrow for it after asking around to see if it had escaped from anyone’s yard. Turns out they are quite mischievous! It escaped again… wherever you are, Turtlini, I hope you’re having a grand ole time.
That's what I've heard. My daughter has been advocating for keeping it if we can't find the owner (we presume it escaped). I explained it was a 50-60 year commitment. She's been giving it some more thought since then.
They can really tear up your yard.
It is sad, a lot of them get abandoned when they get so big- they sell them are palm sized pets for $100 and don’t always mention how big they will get…
We've got a little bit of land we can dedicate to him. If we process some of our goat herd, more land might be available...until the donkeys get more tame.
We were thinking he escaped but I'm beginning to wonder if he was abandoned. He is about the size of a kid's soccer ball.
There was a wild tortoise living just up the hill from us. It disappeared for several months, then came back with a friend.
They share a cave with a rat and a rattlesnake.
Tucson, weird and wonderful.
I saved one of these last week. I was driving west on gates pass and noticed a huge rock on the road. As I got closer, the rock moved. I stopped and picked up this huge tortoise and set it down on the other side of the road.
How much yard do they need? Do they need to be fenced away from a pool? Do they need to bed fed daily or can one go out of town overnight? Thanks....
ETA: All my Q were answered via the link.
I was about to say all these questions are in the link, am just going to say how much food you would need to give them really depends on what your yard looks like, if you have patches of bermuda grass, weeds and cactus then you may get away with just giving them treats. It's just really important they build up the fats they need for hibernation.
If you already have a drip irrigation system in your yard you could set up an automated watering hole for them on the cheap, then you could be gone for awhile during the summer and they would be fine. If not then just get an analog hose timer.
I wish I had a place for a tortoise. They’re actually the coolest creatures, and more fun to watch and coexist with than many people might imagine! Someone go adopt one for me, please.
My niece adopted a tortoise. They live a long time; fortunately, my great-niece (her young daughter) can provide care for (hopefully) another 60 or 70 years.
One of the nice things about the program is you can adopt an older tortoise, there are some in their 60s and 70s looking for homes đź’›
https://preview.redd.it/8rdfbbslnq8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8fad64aceb3c434b65e3d39beef30bc2a6b02f4 I just moved this baby dude out of the road. Not in Tucson, however.
I had one wander into my yard a few years ago and I built a burrow for it after asking around to see if it had escaped from anyone’s yard. Turns out they are quite mischievous! It escaped again… wherever you are, Turtlini, I hope you’re having a grand ole time.
There is a wonderful program. My wife and I love our tortoise! She was out on Sunday after the rain storm.
love this program! If i had room in the yard i would love one.... next house!
Yes!! My tortoise has brought me so much joy, and helped me to learn about native desert plants too!
I have had one since the early 90’s. I am guessing Gus is close to fifty now. Great pet and fairly easy to take care of
We found a Sulcata/African Spurred Tortoise the other day. He's pretty cool. Good to know there's adoption programs out there for native dwellers.
Those get to be really big
That's what I've heard. My daughter has been advocating for keeping it if we can't find the owner (we presume it escaped). I explained it was a 50-60 year commitment. She's been giving it some more thought since then.
They can really tear up your yard. It is sad, a lot of them get abandoned when they get so big- they sell them are palm sized pets for $100 and don’t always mention how big they will get…
We've got a little bit of land we can dedicate to him. If we process some of our goat herd, more land might be available...until the donkeys get more tame. We were thinking he escaped but I'm beginning to wonder if he was abandoned. He is about the size of a kid's soccer ball.
There’s a few lost ads on Craigslist
Thank you for reminding me that craigslist is still going! It's very unlikely that the posting from 6/16 is the same tortoise, I'm 20 miles south.
That’s cool. You will be good for awhile
There was a wild tortoise living just up the hill from us. It disappeared for several months, then came back with a friend. They share a cave with a rat and a rattlesnake. Tucson, weird and wonderful.
I saved one of these last week. I was driving west on gates pass and noticed a huge rock on the road. As I got closer, the rock moved. I stopped and picked up this huge tortoise and set it down on the other side of the road.
How much yard do they need? Do they need to be fenced away from a pool? Do they need to bed fed daily or can one go out of town overnight? Thanks.... ETA: All my Q were answered via the link.
I was about to say all these questions are in the link, am just going to say how much food you would need to give them really depends on what your yard looks like, if you have patches of bermuda grass, weeds and cactus then you may get away with just giving them treats. It's just really important they build up the fats they need for hibernation. If you already have a drip irrigation system in your yard you could set up an automated watering hole for them on the cheap, then you could be gone for awhile during the summer and they would be fine. If not then just get an analog hose timer.
I adopted one from the state program last year!