I Think It's A Russian?

[HeavenlyHonu]

My husband found this turtle in the desert...Is it a Russian? Should we just return it to the wild or will it do well in our backyard? I've never had a tortoise.I'm new here and have been reading. Any tips or advice is appreciated. Thank You!

 

[Jodie]

I can't see the pic very good, but looks like it could be a Russian. There are care guides in the Russian section. This is probably someone's lost per. I would check with neighbors, Craigslist and post some flyers.

 

[Jodie]

Hello and Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[Tom]

We need more and better pics to be sure.

If it is a russian, or any other non-native species, then no, you should not return it to the wild.

If its a CA desert tortoise or luteola box turtle, then your husband has broken the law by touching it.

 

[HeavenlyHonu]

Thanks Jodie! That's the only picture he sent me. Where he found it is open desert no houses, I looked on local craigslist but nothing for lost turtles.

Tom, Hopefully it isn't a CDT, it doesn't look like a box turtle..

It's about the size of a football

 

[Tom]

A frontal shot might help. I really can't tell from the pic. I've narrowed my guesses to a DT or Russian based on what I can see in the pic. I suppose it could also be a big old weathered Greek too. Need to see more of it.

 

[Yvonne G]

What you've done is very illegal. Taking desert tortoises from the wild could net you a $10,000 fine. The desert tortoise (gopherus agazissii) is protected. Judging from the look of this tortoise, it is a very old tortoise, and now you've removed it from the gene pool. Please plan a trip back to where you got the tortoise and release it back as close to where you found it as you can.

(I am very positive this is a desert tortoise. No question at all in my mind. Please, please, please - take it back where you found it.)

 

[HeavenlyHonu]

Thank You Yvonne! He/she is going back!!

 

[tortdad]

Thank You Yvonne! He/she is going back!!

The Key is to put it back right where you found it and not in some random place.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Thank You Yvonne! He/she is going back!!

Thank you.

 

[dmmj]

Like said CDT, head is a dead giveaway.

 

[OCTortoiseGuy]

What you've done is very illegal. Taking desert tortoises from the wild could net you a $10,000 fine. The desert tortoise (gopherus agazissii) is protected. Judging from the look of this tortoise, it is a very old tortoise, and now you've removed it from the gene pool. Please plan a trip back to where you got the tortoise and release it back as close to where you found it as you can.

(I am very positive this is a desert tortoise. No question at all in my mind. Please, please, please - take it back where you found it.)

I agree it is a desert tortoise and should be returned.

 

[Arnold_rules]

Thank You Yvonne! He/she is going back!!

Heavenly, if you really want a tortoise, do some research on here on CDT and then adopt one. They are great pets and worth the effort to keep them. I have had them close to 40 years and never regretted it, just wish I had the type of information that I have now. Not to say other types of tortoises are not great, just partial to DT's.