Early this year (2014) I agreed to take over the care of three male Desert Tortoises.
The previous 'owner' of Duncan had cared for him for a full fifty years, and he and Duncan were teens when they met. Duncan is probably about 65 years old!
Duncan is pretty savvy and established himself at the top of the 'pecking order' right away. His age gives him many advantages: he seems smarter than the others and learned to get past small barriers I put up to keep him off the back porch and out of the garden. When it came time to brumate, he was the first one to go down while the others seemed to be more sluggish and uncomfortable. Now they're finally all asleep and safe in their burrows.
I've had Desert Tortoises before, and I have a good sized yard with grass and weeds. They will do well here.
I look forward to using the forums to learn more about tortoises, and to ask questions as they come up. The detailed articles in the advanced forum are very interesting!
The previous 'owner' of Duncan had cared for him for a full fifty years, and he and Duncan were teens when they met. Duncan is probably about 65 years old!
Duncan is pretty savvy and established himself at the top of the 'pecking order' right away. His age gives him many advantages: he seems smarter than the others and learned to get past small barriers I put up to keep him off the back porch and out of the garden. When it came time to brumate, he was the first one to go down while the others seemed to be more sluggish and uncomfortable. Now they're finally all asleep and safe in their burrows.
I've had Desert Tortoises before, and I have a good sized yard with grass and weeds. They will do well here.
I look forward to using the forums to learn more about tortoises, and to ask questions as they come up. The detailed articles in the advanced forum are very interesting!
Awesome picture 
