My old friend Stoltenberg the Desert Tortoise

[Hansi]

Hi. I'm new here.
My about 60 year old Desert Tortoise is named after a german politician, named Stoltenberg. It's our oldest member of our happy zoo and a full-on family member that we love. He now lives with us for about 27 years in southern California and is a very happy and healthy fellow.
We're planing to move in a couple of month to central Florida, to Ocala, and of course, don't want to leave him behind. I was wondering about the humidity at our new future location , and if a Desert Tortoise can survive in a Florida climate. Not to be able to take him with us would break our hearts.
Can someone here please tell me if a Dessert Tortoise can survive in Florida ?
Thank you and Greetings.
Hansi N.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Unfortunately I can't answer your question. Just wanted to welcome you to the forum. So...welcome!

 

[Hansi]

Unfortunately I can't answer your question. Just wanted to welcome you to the forum. So...welcome!

THANKS

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm real sorry to have to tell you this, but it is ILLEGAL to take desert tortoises out of their native state. Besides you suffering a HUGE fine if caught, Stoltenberg would not tolerate the high humidity of Florida, and may get sick and die. Just an FYI - California desert tortoises do not belong to you, the caretaker of 27 years, but rather they belong to the State of California.

I know a family that took their desert tortoises with them when they moved to Colorado. One by one, each tortoise died.