YARD PREPARATION


Figure 10. Move a tortoise by approaching
from the front, holding it level. Support
the legs and feet to carry it for longer
distances.

Fertilizers and Poisons

Dry fertilizer can be hazardous. Tortois­es may accidentally eat it while grazing or may drink it in solution from puddles at the base of shrubs. We suggest you use liquid fertilizer (such as Miracle-Gro) when tor­toises are active. Do not use snail bait, weed or pest sprays, or systemic poisons.

Male Tortoises

If you have more than one adult male tortoise, don’t expect them to get along. Fighting will probably occur because most yards are too small for more than one male. Fighting can lead to injury, death, or con­stant stress. The situation may never change as long as the two can reach each other, so they must be permanently sepa­rated. Females seldom fight.

SElECT A lOCATION FOR THE BURROW

Underground Burrow

Do not expect a tortoise to pick the proper place for a burrow. In fact, your tortoise may not attempt to dig a burrow or, because of the caliche layers and compac­tion, the tortoise may not be able to dig to an adequate depth. The place the tortoise chooses to dig may not be safe or healthy, such as where the soil is damp, against a fence, or under a woodpile that may collapse. In almost all cases, you should choose the place and you should dig the burrow.

  • Find or create a dry area that is at least 15' x 15'. This area will provide the needed dryness in the burrow plus a dry margin all around it that is 5' from any major drainage way, pavement, soil where rain drains off the roof or any plants that are irrigated, including with a drip system. Only rain directly from the sky should fall on the burrow. Damp soil is unhealthy for the tortoise. The inside of the burrow must remain dry.

  • Tortoises are natural burrowers. Expect your tortoise to lengthen its burrow. So, if the burrow must be dug near a wall, it should be at least 5' away and either parallel to it or the opening should face the wall. This way as the tortoise lengthens the burrow, it will extend into your yard and you will have control of the soil over it. If the burrow were to extend under your fence and into your neighbor’s yard, the burrow might run into wet soil. You can’t control your neighbor’s irrigation, digging, or the digging of their dog.

  • Try not to have the opening face north, northwest, or west, where the setting sun will shine into the burrow in summer. The burrow should not face uphill. If you are digging more than one burrow side by side, the long sides should be parallel and at least 3' apart.

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