Tortoise Tip

We're expecting very warm weather in Las Vegas. Question: What should we do if our tortoise comes out? Answer: Nothing. Watch your tortoise and enjoy this preview of your shelly one. Your tortoise is still brumating. Although it's tempting, don't feed her. She will probably bask in the lovely, warm sun and then go back in the burrow. Make sure she gets back in. She may even come out on two or three warm days. You can be sure that cooler weather will arrive soon. Most tortoises emerge … [Read more...] about What If My Tortoise Comes Out Now?

Tortoise Not Out Yet? Not to worry. At the March 22 meeting of Tortoise Group, custodians reported that fewer than half the tortoises had come out. It's not surprising with the rapidly changing weather. Most tortoises emerge between early March and late April. Some arrive in February, and others not until mid or even late May. Be sure to write down the date, as your tortoise, like us humans, has its own schedule. Basking and browsing are the preferred activities when a tortoise emerges. … [Read more...] about Humans, Not Tortoises, Confused by Variable Weather

Hungry Tortoises Demand MegaDiet RF! We invite you to locate a convenient MegaDiet RF Seller and lay in a supply for that hungry reptile. The website map gives 24 handy locations in the Las Vegas area, including Kingman and Pahrump. We have three new sellers: Shirl at Silverado Ranch & Dean Martin Michelle at I-15 and Blue Diamond Rd Carm at Equestrian & Boulder Hwy Or, order online. The 22-ounce bag costs members $8.00 and lasts a big tortoise about one month The 10# … [Read more...] about Headline News: Hungry Tortoises Demand MegaDiet RF!

Rain brings a tortoise out of brumation to drink from a puddle When it rains, your tortoise may come out of brumation for a drink, even in January! A primary strategy for survival for a tortoise is to get a drink of water whenever it can. What should you do? Watch how the tortoise searches for water and inhales it from many spots Do not interfere Do not offer any food Watch to be sure your tortoise gets back into the burrow safely to continue brumation And enjoy! … [Read more...] about Tortoise Out in the Rain?

Help the burrow hold its temperature Your desert tortoise should be snoozing in ideal brumation temperatures now, 35-50 degrees F. However, when the weather forecast is for temperatures at freezing or below, people start to worry. You might want to protect the air in the burrow from getting too cold during the cold spell. I have wadded up some newspaper, taped it with masking tape to hold its shape, and stuffed it into the burrow opening. You can see that the opening is not sealed but allows … [Read more...] about Protect the burrow opening from cold