Most desert tortoises are vegetarian feeding on a variety of grasses herbs cacti and other succulents. Some will eat small amounts of insects or carrion. In captivity they should be offered a diet that consists mostly of leafy greens and other plant matter with only a small amount of animal protein if any.
A healthy diet for a desert tortoise includes:
-A variety of dark leafy greens such as collard greens mustard greens dandelion greens and turnip greens
-Other vegetables such as carrots squash and sweet potatoes
-Fruits such as apples berries and melon
-A small amount of animal protein such as lean beef chicken or hard-boiled eggs (no more than 10% of the diet)
All of the above should be chopped or shredded into small pieces to help prevent choking. Avoid giving your tortoise lettuce as it is mostly water and has very little nutritional value.
A desert tortoise needs access to fresh clean water at all times. A bowl or dish filled with water that is shallow enough for your tortoise to soak in should be provided. The water should be changed daily and the bowl or dish should be cleaned as needed.
As with all reptiles desert tortoises can carry salmonella bacteria and should not be handled without first washing your hands thoroughly. It is also important to clean and disinfect any surfaces that your tortoise has come into contact with to prevent the spread of bacteria.
What are the main food sources for desert tortoises?
The main food sources for desert tortoises are grasses herbs and other plants.
How often do desert tortoises need to eat?
Desert tortoises need to eat every day.
What happens if a desert tortoise doesn’t eat enough?
If a desert tortoise doesn’t eat enough it can become sick and even die.
What should you do if you find a sick or injured desert tortoise?
If you find a sick or injured desert tortoise you should immediately contact a wildlife veterinarian or rehabilitator.
What should you NOT do if you find a desert tortoise?
You should not attempt to care for the tortoise yourself as you could inadvertently do more harm than good.
What is the best way to help a desert tortoise?
The best way to help a desert tortoise is to leave it alone in its natural habitat.
What should you do if you see a desert tortoise in the road?
If you see a desert tortoise in the road you should carefully and slowly move it out of the way in the direction it was headed.
What is the best way to catch a desert tortoise?
The best way to catch a desert tortoise is to gently and slowly herd it into an enclosed area such as a cardboard box.
What should you NOT do to a desert tortoise?
You should not pick up a desert tortoise by its tail as this can injure the tortoise.
How can you tell if a desert tortoise is male or female?
You can tell if a desert tortoise is male or female by looking at its shell.
Male tortoises have concave shells while female tortoises have flat or slightly convex shells.
How long do desert tortoises live?
Desert tortoises can live for up to 80 years in the wild.
What are the biggest threats to desert tortoises?
The biggest threats to desert tortoises are habitat loss and fragmentation predation and vehicle strikes.
What can you do to help protect desert tortoises?
You can help protect desert tortoises by being careful not to disturb or destroy their habitat and by reporting any sick injured or dead tortoises to the proper authorities.
Where do desert tortoises live?
Desert tortoises are found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
What do desert tortoises do during the winter?
During the winter desert tortoises hibernate in burrows.
