I live in sunny, hot southwest Arizona and love every minute of it. Thanks for all the great information on this forum. I have been scrounging around the internet for answers for my questions but have mixed information. I have two SW Arizona desert tortoises, a 5yr old named Target and a 3 year old named Arrow. I just acquired them and this will be the first time I will be going through the brumation experience. I have a pen set up for them outside but have only grown hibiscus so far. They eat a mixture of ZooMed grassland, paddle cactus, bermuda grass, carrots and bok choy.
Question # 1: When I feed them should it be only once a day as I have read? I tend to feed them twice because they still eat as if they are hungry.
Question #2: The winters in Arizona can reach freezing temperatures. Does anyone in SW Arizona leave their tortoises outside all winter long? Should they brumate in a refrigerator or should I leave them outside in their above ground burrow?
Thank you so much for any information!
Question # 1: When I feed them should it be only once a day as I have read? I tend to feed them twice because they still eat as if they are hungry.
Question #2: The winters in Arizona can reach freezing temperatures. Does anyone in SW Arizona leave their tortoises outside all winter long? Should they brumate in a refrigerator or should I leave them outside in their above ground burrow?
Thank you so much for any information!