Is it illegal to have a desert tortoise as a pet?

Is it illegal to have a desert tortoise as a pet?

While there is no legal limit to the number of desert tortoises a California resident may possess in state, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife strongly discourages having males and females together in captivity or breeding captive desert tortoises.

Do desert tortoises get lonely?

Tortoises probably do not get lonely, they tend to be solitary reptiles. The Arizona Department of Game & Fish only allows one tortoise per household, so being a caretaker for several tortoises is not possible.

How old does a desert tortoise have to be to breed?

Please do not allow your desert tortoises to breed. The number of years for a tortoise to reach this size depends upon how well it eats. A wild tortoise may be 15-20 years old before it breeds, a well-fed pet, half that age. Courtship and mating may occur any time that tortoises are not hibernating.

Can a person own a desert tortoise in Arizona?

In Arizona, no one “owns” a desert tortoise, but people may become “custodians” to insure the welfare and longevity of those already in captivity. Because tortoises are so long-lived (80-100 years or more!), the custodial commitment may well last a lifetime.

Are there any tortoises in the Mojave Desert?

Tortoises have lived in the area that is now the Mojave Desert for millions of years, even before it was a desert. The Mojave desert tortoise occurs north and west of the Colorado River in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. As recently as the mid-1900s, people commonly encountered these familiar, gentle creatures.

What was the name of my desert tortoise?

I got two southwest desert tortoise two years ago and named them Ike and Tina Turtle. Ike has always been stronger, more playful and a great eater and would drink water. Tina has always been more reserved, not a good eater and would only drink water from time to time.

Please do not allow your desert tortoises to breed. The number of years for a tortoise to reach this size depends upon how well it eats. A wild tortoise may be 15-20 years old before it breeds, a well-fed pet, half that age. Courtship and mating may occur any time that tortoises are not hibernating.

In Arizona, no one “owns” a desert tortoise, but people may become “custodians” to insure the welfare and longevity of those already in captivity. Because tortoises are so long-lived (80-100 years or more!), the custodial commitment may well last a lifetime.

Tortoises have lived in the area that is now the Mojave Desert for millions of years, even before it was a desert. The Mojave desert tortoise occurs north and west of the Colorado River in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. As recently as the mid-1900s, people commonly encountered these familiar, gentle creatures.

I got two southwest desert tortoise two years ago and named them Ike and Tina Turtle. Ike has always been stronger, more playful and a great eater and would drink water. Tina has always been more reserved, not a good eater and would only drink water from time to time.