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.

Please watch the adoption video below and read our booklet carefully to find out in advance what is involved in adopting a tortoise.

•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. Click Connections 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.

• We adopt one tortoise to a household. Only male tortoises are adopted to avoid any chance of breeding.

• Tortoises must live outside. An average-sized, fenced back yard of approximately 1250 square feet is needed, equal to 25’x 50’.

• 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 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.


• 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 Salmonella 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 7 of Desert Tortoises: Adoption and Care booklet.

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


• 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’. 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 Booklet - Carefully read pages 4 through Male Tortoises on page 9. After reading those pages, if you want to go ahead with adoption Call us to make an appointment with the Tortoise Group representative.

Our consultation service is free. If you already have a tortoise and you would like us to offer suggestions about your tortoise habitat, terrific! Our goal is to improve the lives of pet desert tortoises.

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