Change in Eating Habits

These days, tortoises may be grazing heavily and ignoring Grasslands Tortoise Food. Plants the tortoise wouldn't eat earlier in the year have become favorites. Dead grass may be preferred over green grass, and flowers are top choices, especially roses. Your tortoise may be seen in the water dish more frequently. Tortoises, unlike us, respond to bodily needs. Your tortoise knows what it needs. … [Read more...] about Change in Eating Habits

Help us pass the word. Tortoise hatching season is here. In Clark County Nevada, we are fortunate to have a place for hatchlings you find wandering in the street or that have entered your yard. Do no keep them or give them away. Call the Tortoise Pick-up Service for free pick up and delivery to the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center: (702) 593-9027. That's the law. Hatchlings are great travelers, so let them walk around in the bathroom until picked up. There they will be cool and within … [Read more...] about Hatchlings Are on the March

With rains like we've had lately, it's important to check your tortoise burrows for puddles or flooding. Keep checking for several days, as flooding may occur after the rain has stopped when rain in the top and surrounding soil drains into the burrow channel. If it is cloudy or nighttime, use a very powerful flashlight. Lie on a drop cloth or tarp. Unless the burrow channel turns and the end is out of sight, you should be able to see the tortoise and any puddles. Also, try sliding down the … [Read more...] about Possible Wet Burrow

Spring is bursting upon us and our tortoises will be emerging in March and April. Now's the time to make the habitat safe and ready. Pick up winter's accumulated clutter Prune the plants Remove any mustard and thistles, leaving the filaree and dandelions, of course Prune a good path around the edge of the year where the tortoise walks Plant some fresh new plants Fertilize the grass and plants Clean out the water area Pick up any litter, especially colorful pieces, that may … [Read more...] about Spruce Up the Habitat

Store Grassland Tortoise Food in a cool, dry place for the winter. It will still be fresh for the spring. Don't freeze the tortoise food. Food If your tortoise is still up and eating, you may want to stop offering tortoise food and allow the tortoise to browse and eat greens and flowers until brumation. Its system is slowing down, including the digestive system. Some biologists feel that a tortoise should not go into brumation with a tummy full of food that may not digest completely. … [Read more...] about Tortoise Food Storage