Found Tortoise in SoAZ

[snowfish42]

My husband found a tortoise in the middle of a five-way in the middle of our town a couple days ago. I'm pretty sure he's a desert tortoise, but I don't know how to tell for sure. The poor guy is a little rough, but friendly and obviously a pet. I've been watching the local papers and craigslist for any mention, nothing so far. I'm not sure how to move forward with this, I believe desert tortoises are protected here. Any advice?

 

[Jacqui]

Hi! First how about a couple of pictures so we can be sure what species we are dealing with?

 

[snowfish42]

Hi! First how about a couple of pictures so we can be sure what species we are dealing with?

I've blurred some identifying man-made markings. It would break my heart for this guy to end up in the wrong hands.

 

[dmmj]

Due to the bumpy shell I would say it is either one born into captivity, or a long term captive.

 

[mctlong]

Poor guy, I hope you find his owner.

 

[Ashleigh B]

Hi, I'm new but I've reciently lost a tortoise. If you could please send me a picture of this tortoise I might be able to help cause it might actually be mine.

 

[snowfish42]

Hi, I'm new but I've reciently lost a tortoise. If you could please send me a picture of this tortoise I might be able to help cause it might actually be mine.

I posted a picture above.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome, Snowfish42. Yes, its a desert tortoise.

 

[snowfish42]

Due to the bumpy shell I would say it is either one born into captivity, or a long term captive.

Wow, I didn't know you could tell by that. What makes that happen to their shells in captivity?

Welcome, Snowfish42. Yes, its a desert tortoise.

Good to know, thank you!

 

[dmmj]

Due to the bumpy shell I would say it is either one born into captivity, or a long term captive.

Wow, I didn't know you could tell by that. What makes that happen to their shells in captivity?

wild ones don't have the bumpy shells, one raised in captivity, they often get pyramided from low humidity.

 

[snowfish42]

Due to the bumpy shell I would say it is either one born into captivity, or a long term captive.

Wow, I didn't know you could tell by that. What makes that happen to their shells in captivity?

wild ones don't have the bumpy shells, one raised in captivity, they often get pyramided from low humidity.

Low humidity? Interesting. I would have guessed it had something to do with diet or something, as there isn't much humidity in their natural habitat anyway (the desert). Do you know the chemical process behind this?

 

[Yvonne G]

Ah...another disbeliever from the "show me" state!

Wild tortoises spend the majority of their day hiding inside their burrow, which goes deep underground. The moisture contend underground is higher than above ground and to add to it, the tortoise poops and pees down in there.

 

[NudistApple]

Well, they burrow in nature, and the humidity is much higher in their burrows than at the surface. Additionally, they usually won't come out in the high heat of the day when humidity is at it's lowest, but only at the cooler times.

Pyramiding isn't only cause by humidity/hydration, diet plays a role, as do a lot of other things. It's a great mystery of tortoise keeping.

 

[snowfish42]

Ah...another disbeliever from the "show me" state!

Wild tortoises spend the majority of their day hiding inside their burrow, which goes deep underground. The moisture contend underground is higher than above ground and to add to it, the tortoise poops and pees down in there.

lol! Ok, ok, but I'm still interested in the chemical process. Tortoises are much more intriguing than I previously thought.

I've had an escape attempt today! Caught him (finally looked and it is indeed a "him", according to guides on the internets anyway), gave him some prickly pear fruit, and fixed the fence. He's a tenacious little thing.

---

Well, they burrow in nature, and the humidity is much higher in their burrows than at the surface. Additionally, they usually won't come out in the high heat of the day when humidity is at it's lowest, but only at the cooler times.

Pyramiding isn't only cause by humidity/hydration, diet plays a role, as do a lot of other things. It's a great mystery of tortoise keeping.

Mystery indeed. Thanks for the reply!

 

[conservation]

Is that broken glass next to your new tort? I know mind try and sample all kinds of new things in their enclosures. Any nails, glass etc could end up as a snack. Good luck with finding it a home!

 

[snowfish42]

Is that broken glass next to your new tort? I know mind try and sample all kinds of new things in their enclosures. Any nails, glass etc could end up as a snack. Good luck with finding it a home!

Plastic. Broken solar light, and much too big for sampling.

 

[Tom]

I'm looking at a small screen with a terrible glare, but that looks like a Texas tortoise to me. The Texas tortoise is a different species, but in the same Genus as the desert tortoise. It could also be called a "desert" tortoise and they tend to pyramid more than desert tortoises too.