Transitioning about 20 year old desert tortoise

BuddysMom2005

New Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2020
Messages
2
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas
Hello everyone!

I am new here & could really use some advice.

I have a desert tortoise, who is about 20 years old. His name is Buddy. We adopted him when I was in about 5th grade. We live in Las Vegas, NV.

When we got him, my dad went through the process of making sure he had a super amazing habitat. He began a burrow for him, put plants that they eat in the wild, made sure he had a water tub that has a drip sprinkler attached to it, etc.

Now my dad has retired & cannot bring him with him, so we are wanting to transition him to my house.

We are looking into a modified dog house, since it will be hibernation time soon & we don't have a lot of time.

I am a little worried about making this transition for him. I don't want to stress him out, but we don't have a whole lot of options. Any suggestions on how to make this transition smoother for him?
 

Ciri

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2014
Messages
320
Location (City and/or State)
Tucson
Putting in plants that Buddy is familiar with will be more comfortable for him. Bringing items that he is accustomed to from the previous environment would help. Can your dad be present when you move buddy over to your house? Somebody had given me a box turtle some years ago and he was mad at me for entire year. The person gave the turtle to me when I was over at her house (this was planned ahead of time) rather than her bringing the turtle to my house. I think that this turtle thought that I had stolen him from his home. He didn't forgive me until he found out there was a female at my house and they mated.

I think it will be helpful if whoever he is most bonded with is present when he is moved from your dad's house to your house. I would also suggest whatever foods he particularly loves could be there as a special treat when he arrives at the new house. As you grew up with him, he probably will adjust well. My only concern would be to Watch that he is able to settle into hibernation okay. Sometimes they are a little suspicious new burrows. It sounds like he'll have enough time to adjust. Good luck and Keep us posted.
 

BuddysMom2005

New Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2020
Messages
2
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas
Thank you Ciri! I am actually the person he is most bonded with. Even though I haven’t lived at the house for a while, I am still over often & he knows I’m his “mom”. However my dad will be there to help transition him with me.

I was planning on getting a couple of the plants he is used to & bringing is water dish over here as well.

I will definitely be giving him treats & lots of love.

I was more worried about him transitioning from a burrow he’s dug, to a man made one. But I’m doing everything I can to make it comfortable in there for him, so ?he will like it.

I will keep you updated & post pics when his little area is complete.

Putting in plants that Buddy is familiar with will be more comfortable for him. Bringing items that he is accustomed to from the previous environment would help. Can your dad be present when you move buddy over to your house? Somebody had given me a box turtle some years ago and he was mad at me for entire year. The person gave the turtle to me when I was over at her house (this was planned ahead of time) rather than her bringing the turtle to my house. I think that this turtle thought that I had stolen him from his home. He didn't forgive me until he found out there was a female at my house and they mated.

I think it will be helpful if whoever he is most bonded with is present when he is moved from your dad's house to your house. I would also suggest whatever foods he particularly loves could be there as a special treat when he arrives at the new house. As you grew up with him, he probably will adjust well. My only concern would be to Watch that he is able to settle into hibernation okay. Sometimes they are a little suspicious new burrows. It sounds like he'll have enough time to adjust. Good luck and Keep us posted.
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