Recommend a Tortoise for me!

[oldturtle]

Hello,
This group popped up on my areas Craigslist and I was thrilled.
I used to live back east and had Eastern Box turtles which I loved

Now I live out in the Nevada Desert at 5,000 feet.
It is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter and
has 4-8% humidity.
Is there ANY KIND of tortoise I could keep here?
Would they have to hibernate inside somewhere?

Thank for starting this forum

 

[Bansh88]

Desert is a great place for a lot of Tortoises. As long as you have a backyard, a Desert Tortoise(if you can find one) or a Russian would be good. Sulcata would work out too but just realize how big they get. It may seem cool but it will make for a handful of pet in the future.
In the winter, you would definitely need to bring them in

 

[T-P]

Depending on where you live you need a permit to keep a desert tortoise.
Please look into it.

Anything apart from redfoots, yellowfoots and other tortoises that need moist humid enclosures will do fine in a desert-like garden.

Heres a list of what you can have (i can also supply a basic care sheet if you want).
Hermanns (grow to 8 to 10 inches, and require very little).
Russians (same as hermanns)
Leopard tortoise (grow to be 60 cm -over 2 feet)
Sulcata tortoise (grow to 83-100cm -over 2.5 feet)
Iberas (grow to roughlt 8-10 inches)
Greeks (grow to roughly 8-10 inches)
Marginated (10-12 inches i think)
Egyptian (must be well experianced to keep one - these stay tiny minimum of 4-6 inches)

 

[Jentortmom]

Great List CPX. You could also have three toed box turtles they hibernate in the winter.

 

[T-P]

Oh yes, most box turtles can live in a lovely desert-like envirionment.

 

[Tortoise Mommy]

Hi, I think Nevada has a desert Tortoise rescue. You wouldnt have to have a permit as far as having one in your state. You would need to adopt one. Google Nevada desert tortoise, it will explain the processes. They will also need to come to your house and ensure you can properly care for one, they really need homes, the shelters have lots of torts, just not very many qualified homes. If your proprty is not tortoise ready they will help you any way they can.
give them a try. Good luck

Hello,
This group popped up on my areas Craigslist and I was thrilled.
I used to live back east and had Eastern Box turtles which I loved

Now I live out in the Nevada Desert at 5,000 feet.
It is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter and
has 4-8% humidity.
Is there ANY KIND of tortoise I could keep here?
Would they have to hibernate inside somewhere?

Thank for starting this forum

 

[oldturtle]

Hi all,
Thanks for the comments.
Yes, I could probably get a Desert Tortoise, but truthfully,
I don't care for the looks of them.
I would probably be happier with a Russian or two.
I will now start researching those.
Thanks for the help

 

[Josh]

i love deserts cause they are endangered and their natural habitat is close to where i live. i feel like they live in my backyard and i owe it to them to adopt one

 

[Kyrazy]

We've had our desert for almost her entire life. She's over 30 now and we LOVE her! She's very curious and friendly. She'll come out and graze the yard around us if we're out - just to have our company I guess. We're looking for another one -SoCal - to keep her company and just because they're cool!