Is there another breed that is similar to the CDT? Not to many have them on here?
Similar?
- Thread starter 65redroses
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The California desert tortoise is Gopherus agassizii. There is also a Gopherus Moraflaki. See attached range map:
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2842
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2842
65redroses said:
There are no tortoise breeds. All the variety you see out there is in naturally occurring species and subspecies. Anyway, yes the California desert tortoise does have some relatives. As Yvonne said, the closest relative of the California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is the Sonoran desert tortoise (G. morafkai). Their next closest relative is the Bolson tortoise (G. flavomarginata). Finally, the next closest relatives are the Texas tortoise (G. berlandieri) and the Florida gopher tortoise (G. polyphemus).
I, too, have noticed that there don't seem to be as many desert tortoise keepers on here -- Californian, Sonoran or otherwise -- as there are owners of other types of torts. I wonder why. Is it because you can't buy DTs, and so there's a smaller pool of us out there? At any rate, I love learning about all different kinds of torts, but I'd welcome more DT folks getting involved, asking questions and sharing their experiences.
Because of the legalities and distrust of the "system" many people choose not to talk about them on a public forum.
Interesting. I guess I understand the distrust, but it's kind of a bummer. I'd encourage any DT lurkers out there to get more involved if you adopted your DT in a lawful way.
I'd had my DT for almost 26 years - I got her shortly before they ended up on the endangered list. She was wild caught by my brother, and then I ended up with her for my birthday when he had no clue what to do with her 
My father wasn't happy about it at all, and I was 13 at the time and didn't have the appreciation then about removing an animal from its native habitat. He said he would give her 2 weeks to adapt or else she'd be turned in to our state's game and fish dept. She was eating out of my hand in 3 days. She certainly has made our backyard lively
My father wasn't happy about it at all, and I was 13 at the time and didn't have the appreciation then about removing an animal from its native habitat. He said he would give her 2 weeks to adapt or else she'd be turned in to our state's game and fish dept. She was eating out of my hand in 3 days. She certainly has made our backyard lively - Status
