Tortoise Habitat Advice

TammyJ

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Why not just block the aloe off so they can't burrow under it? I would not dig it out.
 

ascott

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Apple Valley, California
Hello all!

We live in sunny AZ and have two female desert tortoises. Which I realize now after reading the pinned thread is potentially not the greatest idea, but here we are. We will likely get a third to offset issues in the future. Our most pressing problem is habitat. We have a tortoise-proof backyard and have been letting them roam as they please, graze the grass, etc. This may have been a mistake, I’m not sure but we are open to recommendations on that. We built a habitat using cinder blocks with a plywood topper. We covered it in dirt. We made it as one habitat, but we made it with two sides so each tortoise could have her own side. They spent one night in their sides, then appeared to both want the same side. The younger one ran into the bigger one’s side one day and after that, neither would go in there again unless it was raining. Instead, they have dug a hole under an aloe vera plant and both insist on being completely smushed under it. We have tried filling the hole in to encourage them to use the house we built, but no luck. Upon reflection, the home we built was on a western wall facing east, and may just have been too hot. We took it down yesterday and are going to attempt rebuilding in a better location.

So, should we not allow them to have free range of the yard? Also, any ideas on how we can make a better home? Is it location? Did we make a mistake having two holes in one house? Should we dig up the aloe Vera so they can’t do that? Should we allow the aloe?

Finally, we have a lot of mosquitos and I’d like to spray garlic repellant on the plants/grass. If I do that, can/will the tortoises still eat the grass? Thanks!

Why do you believe you have two females? It is unusual to get yours hands on a female (not that it can not happen, just unlikely) let alone two. What is the proof of both females? Now, with that nagging question off of my tongue.

Whether you have males or females, pairing in general is not a beneficial set up...and until you get your set up straight and working I certainly would not bring in a third tortoise...that is not a positive action, especially since you are having struggles working out the glitches in the current set up.

I would split your yard into two individual spaces one for each tortoise. The vying for same spot is likely another flag that they should not be housed in the same space....one is dominate and one then is unnaturally forced to be submissive...this is not a good thing for any tortoise/creature....but especially for a species that is super tenacious and nomadic. I would again suggest you set up two spaces, before you end up with an ailing tortoise.
 

ascott

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Apr 10, 2011
Messages
16,138
Location (City and/or State)
Apple Valley, California
Hello all!

We live in sunny AZ and have two female desert tortoises. Which I realize now after reading the pinned thread is potentially not the greatest idea, but here we are. We will likely get a third to offset issues in the future. Our most pressing problem is habitat. We have a tortoise-proof backyard and have been letting them roam as they please, graze the grass, etc. This may have been a mistake, I’m not sure but we are open to recommendations on that. We built a habitat using cinder blocks with a plywood topper. We covered it in dirt. We made it as one habitat, but we made it with two sides so each tortoise could have her own side. They spent one night in their sides, then appeared to both want the same side. The younger one ran into the bigger one’s side one day and after that, neither would go in there again unless it was raining. Instead, they have dug a hole under an aloe vera plant and both insist on being completely smushed under it. We have tried filling the hole in to encourage them to use the house we built, but no luck. Upon reflection, the home we built was on a western wall facing east, and may just have been too hot. We took it down yesterday and are going to attempt rebuilding in a better location.

So, should we not allow them to have free range of the yard? Also, any ideas on how we can make a better home? Is it location? Did we make a mistake having two holes in one house? Should we dig up the aloe Vera so they can’t do that? Should we allow the aloe?

Finally, we have a lot of mosquitos and I’d like to spray garlic repellant on the plants/grass. If I do that, can/will the tortoises still eat the grass? Thanks!


Oh and I would not remove the Aloe plant...as mentioned before, it is likely one local for coolness and I would not remove that....nor would I block off their access to it....but I also would quickly divid the space and then offer up a great deep shade spot for the tort that is not located in the space with the aloe...
 

CeciliaCornwall

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Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Messages
25
Location (City and/or State)
Scottsdale, AZ
Awesome, thanks!! Since I initially posted this they seem to not be fighting anymore...they are both happily (?) under the aloe. We did build a new “house” in deep shade and they go in it occasionally, but it isn’t their favorite location. We’re going to work on making it their favorite location because that seems like a better hibernation spot. Is it ok to allow them to hibernate there?

Well I say they are females because we got them both from a friend who has the parents of these two. They are different ages but sisters, if you will. This family has had some insane number of tortoises born throughout the years and they told us both are female.
 

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