Would like to know what kind of tortoise I have

Joined
Jan 17, 2020
Messages
26
Location (City and/or State)
Tucson, Az
HI this is Tortie (pic below) My name is Sheila and live in Tucson. I have had(her?) 3 years. She was found after a really big storm in my boyfriends dad's yard. He sent me a text with a picture of her (her? she likes pink). The next day after I got out of the hospital he took me to where he found her.
She was sooooo small I couldn't just leave her there so, I took her home. She seems to be very healthy. She is still a little shy, and only eats fruits and veggies. I have her indoors in her "indoor turtle town" during the cold months and let her go out to her "outdoor turtle town" in the summer and I bring her in at dusk. She has a garden area that she can graze in and is protected . I sprinkle vitamins on her food that she eats indoors. When I found her she was 2.5 in. and 1 year later 3.5. I don't know if my research has paid off or I just got lucky she seems very healthy, she eats well, eyes are always clear, goes to the potty regularly, and she loves her evening baths and her fruits and veggies. She doesn't eat meat. She is still a little shy but we're still working on that. She lets me rub the top of her head and under her chin. Any way I do not know for certain what kind she is. If anyone could help or comment I would love it.....And no I have never taken her to a vet Sorry
She is a little spoiled and I talk to her all the time. I have never had a tortoise before but I did own and operate a non franchise pet store for 9 years where I learned research is important.

Thank you,
Sheila and Tortie
\

IMG_20200110_102718640.jpg

'
IMG_20200110_102718640.jpg
 

Markw84

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
5,041
Location (City and/or State)
Sacramento, CA (Central Valley)
Pretty sure that's a desert tortoise Gopherus morafkai.

Allthough the blacker color is normally G berlandieri, the nuchal scute (especially a wide nuchal) would indicate G morafkai. Also the shape is far more G morafkai than G berlandieri.

The care is the same for both species, so you are good with any care sheet for the desert tortoise.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
I agree its a desert tortoise.

I typed this up for sulcatas, but the diet is essential the same for DTs. Maybe not as much emphasis on grass though. Fruits and vegetable are not a good diet. They need mostly broadleaf weeds, leaves, flowers and succulents of the right types. Check this out for suggestions: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Care for these guys is the same as for Russian tortoises, so there might be some helpful tips in here too:

Research is good, but the problem is that the majority of care info given for tortoises is wrong and will result in a dead tortoise. DTs info is particularly bad in this regard. Our human interpretation of "desert conditions" for a desert tortoise literally kills them through dehydration and dehydration related maladies.

Anyhow, glad you found us, and questions are welcome. :)
 
Joined
Jan 17, 2020
Messages
26
Location (City and/or State)
Tucson, Az
I agree its a desert tortoise.

I typed this up for sulcatas, but the diet is essential the same for DTs. Maybe not as much emphasis on grass though. Fruits and vegetable are not a good diet. They need mostly broadleaf weeds, leaves, flowers and succulents of the right types. Check this out for suggestions: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Care for these guys is the same as for Russian tortoises, so there might be some helpful tips in here too:

Research is good, but the problem is that the majority of care info given for tortoises is wrong and will result in a dead tortoise. DTs info is particularly bad in this regard. Our human interpretation of "desert conditions" for a desert tortoise literally kills them through dehydration and dehydration related maladies.

Anyhow, glad you found us, and questions are welcome. :)
Thanks for the information. She (?) Does have some grasses growing and flowers and a patch of weeds to eat. I got alot of info at Tortoise Forum and the internet I take with a grain of salt. Suggestions on a food list you would recomend. I have looked at tortiose table, what do you think
 

Maggie3fan

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2018
Messages
8,046
Location (City and/or State)
PacificNorthWest
Pretty sure that's a desert tortoise Gopherus morafkai.

Allthough the blacker color is normally G berlandieri, the nuchal scute (especially a wide nuchal) would indicate G morafkai. Also the shape is far more G morafkai than G berlandieri.

The care is the same for both species, so you are good with any care sheet for the desert tortoise.
Somehow I knew you'd spoil it for me...lol...Better watch out...I'm driving down to Pismo in a month or so...and I may wanna ask if I can come see your Sulcata herd...(maybe?)
 

DesertGirl

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2017
Messages
366
Location (City and/or State)
Fabulous Las Vegas, NV
HI this is Tortie (pic below) My name is Sheila and live in Tucson. I have had(her?) 3 years. She was found after a really big storm in my boyfriends dad's yard. He sent me a text with a picture of her (her? she likes pink). The next day after I got out of the hospital he took me to where he found her.
She was sooooo small I couldn't just leave her there so, I took her home. She seems to be very healthy. She is still a little shy, and only eats fruits and veggies. I have her indoors in her "indoor turtle town" during the cold months and let her go out to her "outdoor turtle town" in the summer and I bring her in at dusk. She has a garden area that she can graze in and is protected . I sprinkle vitamins on her food that she eats indoors. When I found her she was 2.5 in. and 1 year later 3.5. I don't know if my research has paid off or I just got lucky she seems very healthy, she eats well, eyes are always clear, goes to the potty regularly, and she loves her evening baths and her fruits and veggies. She doesn't eat meat. She is still a little shy but we're still working on that. She lets me rub the top of her head and under her chin. Any way I do not know for certain what kind she is. If anyone could help or comment I would love it.....And no I have never taken her to a vet Sorry
She is a little spoiled and I talk to her all the time. I have never had a tortoise before but I did own and operate a non franchise pet store for 9 years where I learned research is important.

Thank you,
Sheila and Tortie
\

View attachment 287834

'
IMG_20200110_102718640.jpg
Looks like a Sonoran Desert Tortoise to me. Got one at home that looks just like her. They are native to Arizona. They are much more colorful than the Mojave DT that we naturally find in my part of the woods- Las Vegas. They are sweethearts!
 
Joined
Jan 17, 2020
Messages
26
Location (City and/or State)
Tucson, Az
Looks like a Sonoran Desert Tortoise to me. Got one at home that looks just like her. They are native to Arizona. They are much more colorful than the Mojave DT that we naturally find in my part of the woods- Las Vegas. They are sweethearts!
Thank you. I was able to read your message just now. I will look at some info for her. Lived in Vegas for about 8 years too. Sorry not my favorite place. I love Tucson. Any more info would be greatly appreciated.
 
Joined
Jan 17, 2020
Messages
26
Location (City and/or State)
Tucson, Az
Thank you. I was able to read your message just now. I will look at some info for her. I too in Vegas for about 8 years . Sorry, not my favorite place. I love Tucson. Any more info and any advise would be greatly appreciated.
 

New Posts

Top