Desert Tortoise Diet and Nutritional Need in Arid Environment

Arid tortoises are friendly, active reptiles that are native to dry climates. This care sheet outlines basic care needs for a variety of arid tortoise species, including:

• Greek tortoises
• Russian tortoises

With proper care, arid tortoises reach their adult size within 3–4 years and can live for 50 years or more, making them hardy, lifelong companions. Arid tortoises are excellent at digging. They use their strong, shovel-like feet to burrow underground, creating a safe space to regulate their body temperature and hide from predators. When properly socialized, arid tortoises are friendly reptiles that can enjoy some handling time and interaction with their human family members. Always approach tortoises slowly, calmly, and quietly to avoid startling them. Do not approach or try to pick up a tortoise from behind. Tortoises can sustain serious injuries if dropped, especially if the fall occurs on a solid surface. In case of a fall, the tortoise should be seen by a veterinarian right away. Children of all ages should be supervised closely while handling a tortoise. All reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases including Salmonella bacteria, which is zoonotic (transmittable to people). Pet parents should always wash their hands before and after handling their tortoise or its habitat’s contents.

To keep an arid tortoise happy and healthy, pet parents should have these basic supplies on hand:

• Appropriately sized habitat
• Timothy hay
• Substrate
• Food & water dish
• Hideaway place
• Plants
• Heat light & fixture
• UVB lighting and fixture
• Multivitamin supplement

Arid tortoises can be kept indoors in a large, well-ventilated glass, wood, or plastic habitat. Ideally, indoor enclosures should be at least 36” L x 18” W x 16” H for a single tortoise. The habitat should be secured with a screened lid to prevent escaping. Always provide the largest habitat possible. As tortoises grow, the size of the habitats should increase, accordingly. Glass enclosures can trap air and increase the habitat’s humidity levels outside the ideal range, putting the tortoise at greater risk of developing respiratory tract infections. If using a glass tank or aquarium as an indoor habitat, pet parents must ensure the enclosure is well-ventilated and measure its humidity level each day using a humidity gauge.

For indoor enclosures, tortoises need a thermal gradient in their habitat so they can warm up and cool down as needed. The recommended temperature for the warm end of an indoor arid tortoise habitat is 85–95 degrees F, while the cooler end should be kept around 70–75 degrees F. If an arid tortoise’s environment is too cold, it will dig itself into a burrow and begin to hibernate. Tortoises are more susceptible to infection during hibernation, so pet parents should keep their tortoise’s habitat at a constant temperature (no lower than 70 F) year-round. Pet parents must check the temperatures of their tortoise’s indoor habitat daily. Two thermometers—one in the warm area and one in the cool area—should be placed in the enclosure so that both zones can be checked at once. A digital point-and-shoot thermometer can be used to read habitat temperatures instantly.

• Active, friendly and outgoing
• Are small tortoises with big personalities
• Will likely become tame with gentle handling and time; move slowly around tortoises to avoid startling them
• Adept at digging to escape; hide in objects and burrow into substrate
• Can be housed outside in warm, dry climates as long as precautions are taken to prevent escape
• Male tortoises have a curved plastron (bottom shell) and a longer tail than females. Their vent is located toward the end of their tail, while the female’s vent is closer to their shell.
• Female tortoises are larger than male

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What type of environment do desert tortoises live in?
   Desert tortoises live in hot and dry desert regions with very little rainfall. They prefer sandy or rocky areas where they can dig burrows to escape extreme heat and cold.
2. How do desert tortoises survive in arid environments?
   Desert tortoises survive by conserving water, storing moisture in their bodies, and spending much of their time in underground burrows that protect them from harsh desert temperatures.
3. What do desert tortoises need to survive in the desert?
   Desert tortoises need access to desert plants for food, safe burrowing areas, occasional rainfall for water, and a stable desert habitat to survive successfully.