ADOPTION

The tortoise is a gentle animal that will roam your yard searching for flowers and tender shoots to eat. If you have never kept a tortoise, look forward to pleasant surprises, among them, more personality than you would expect from a reptile.

The tortoise spends a great deal of time in its burrow each day. It comes out to warm up enough to eat and explore, then escapes the heat of the day by returning to the burrow. In winter, the tortoise hibernates (brumates) in its burrow, usually from late October to mid March.

By reading this pamphlet carefully, you can find out in advance what is involved in adopting a tortoise. Many persons realize, after hastily accepting a tortoise from a source other than Tortoise Group, that a tortoise is not the right pet for their family.

Figure 1. Healthy tortoises are available for adoption.

•Tortoises living in Nevada must stay in Nevada. Therefore, Tortoise Group can only adopt to Nevada residents. Refer to The Law and the Tortoise. There are adoption organizations in California, Utah, and Arizona. Call us at 702 739-8043 for those numbers.

• There is no charge for adoption.

• Tortoises for Adoption are former pets. They have been legally acquired, not taken from the wild. The adoption period is from April to the end of August.

• Tortoises of all sizes must live outside. An average-sized, fenced back yard of approximately 1250 square feet is needed, equal to 25’x 50’. Hatchling areas may be smaller, but at least 5’x 20’(100 square feet) and only for the first year.

• Teachers: Unfortunately, proper conditions for tortoises are not available in the classroom, but we do adopt to schools with suitable outdoor areas. You might prepare your own yard, adopt a tortoise, and take it to the classroom on occasion for a day. See Information Sheet #20 for securing Information Sheet # 20, Tortoises in the Classroom – Concerns and Alternatives.

• Tortoise Group adopts to the adults where the tortoise will live. The adults must be interested in having and caring for the tortoise.

• A child should not be expected to assume full responsibility for care.

• Small tortoises, especially, are very appealing but are difficult to care for. From experience, we have learned that the death rate of juveniles is high, mainly as a result of living indoors and eating poor food.

• Various sizes are available, 7 to 12 inches in shell length. We recommend a large tortoise where there are small children.

• Salmonella infection is a potential threat. Wash hands after handling. Small children should not touch the tortoise. See Information Sheet # 26 "Cal Zoo's Reptile Associated Sabmonella Q&A" .

• Adult dogs and tortoises usually get along after the proper introduction. But wait to adopt if you have a puppy. See Eliminate Hazards, page 8 of Desert Tortoises: Adoption and Care.

• We do not adopt if the tortoise can reach an unfenced pool or pond.

• American Box Turtles. When available, box turtles are free for adoption, as is information on their care. They must live outside. See Information Sheet #6

• A member of the Tortoise Group Adoption Committee will need to visit your yard BEFORE you start preparations. This person will help you select the best location for the burrow and point out other things that you will need to do to make your yard ready.  This visit will save you time and effort in the long run .

• Dig a burrow in a completely dry area at least 15’ x 15’ for each tortoise. You may need to change your irrigation pattern to create the dry area.

• Make your yard escape-proof.

• Remove hazards.

• Provide a water dish and build a cover to shade it, if necessary.

• Plant a patch of grass with dandelions (highly recommended)

• Plant several of the ornamentals that tortoises eat and we suggest.

• Feed the tortoise MegaDiet, the tortoise chow that we suggest.

Now … click Care Pamphlet at the bottom of this page. Carefully read pages 4 through Male Tortoises on page 9. After reading those pages, if you want to go ahead with adoption call 702-739-8043 to make an appointment with the Tortoise Group representative.

Our consultation service is free whether you adopt from Tortoise Group or from another source. If you may already have a tortoise and do not plan to adopt another, you might like us to offer suggestions about your tortoise habitat. Terrific! That service is also free.

If you have a female tortoise and want a second tortoise, we may be able to adopt a second female to you. A visit to your yard will be necessary. In keeping with our birth control policy, we will not adopt to create a mating pair now or eventually. For homes with no tortoises, we adopt only one or two females, one male or one immature tortoise. If you have a tortoise, we can offer suggestions whether or not you adopted from us.

Figure 2. Backyard designed around a tortoise - dry area for burrow (left),
shallow walk-in water feature, plants and grass for browsing.

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