CONTENTS

THE LAW AND THE TORTOISE

Wild Tortoises
The Protected Tortoise
Why Wild Tortoises Should Not Be Removed from the Desert

Pet Tortoises
Tortoises Wandering in Developed Areas
Legally Obtaining a Tortoise
Unwanted Tortoises
Moving Tortoises
Why Pet Tortoises Should Not Be Released in the Desert

ADOPTION

Things You Need To Know
Things You Need To Do

HOW A TORTOISE WORKS

Balancing Sun and Shade
Why Not Indoors?
Area Needed

YARD PREPARATION

Escape-Proof The Yard
Securing the Fence
Installing a Gate Barrier

Eliminate Hazards
Tortoise Traps
Dogs, Cats, Fertilizers & More
Children
Fertilizers and Poisons
Male Tortoises

Select A Location For The Burrow
Underground Burrow

Dig The Burrow
Burrow Size and Roof
Marking the Ground
Making the Eave
Digging the Ramp
Making a Channel for the Tortoise
Covering the Burrow
Mounding the Soil
Covering the Eave
Creating a Berm

Aboveground Burrow

Burrow Problems
Check Inside the Burrow
Damp Burrow
Flooding

Provide Water
How Tortoises Drink
Making a Drinking Place

FOOD AND FEEDING

Growing Food

MegaDiet

Food Problems
Foods to Avoid
Changing the Diet of the Lettuce Eater9

REPRODUCTION AND HATCHLINGS

Mating Behavior

Hatchlings
Hatching
Hazards Unique to Hatchlings
Setting Aside Part of the Yard for Hatchlings
Building a Hatchling Enclosure
Hatchling Hibernation
Giving Away Hatchlings

HIBERNATION/BRUMATION

Location & Temperature

MEDICAL PROBLEMS

Accidents And Injuries
Respiratory
Gastrointestinal

HOW TORTOISE GROUP HELPS

Mission

Meetings And Services
Meetings
Marking Your Tortoise
Additional Free Services