Thank you for the video. I have stuck with various lettuces, dandelion, miscellaneous grasses around my yard & neighbors yard (no pesticides!), endive, sometimes I attempt strawberries & he'll take a bite, clover, a bit of carrot, & occasional spineless prickly pear cactus which makes him poop. I make sure the food is in small pieces for the little tortoise & that there are no thorns on the cactus.
Thank you so much for all this info! I recently rescued a desert tortoise that I believe was abandoned or escaped their habitat. I’m trying very hard to find the owners, I just rescued him yesterday. So I have him in a big kiddie pool with card board boxes and fed him some strawberries, spinach, and broccoli, with sweet potato because that’s what I had in my fridge. I let him roam around in a grass area behind my condo, but it’s not enclosed. Last night I brought the rubber kiddie pool(which is my dogs😂) inside and put boxes so they are like huts. Now I need to make this setup and need all the help I can get. He or she is about 8 inches, a desert tortoise, and I’m getting so attached. Like you my dog is my family. So I should have known this feeling of attachment was coming. I do want to find the owners and an posting locally. Today I Al going to work on habitat and buy organic produce that you recommend. I’m concerned about salmonella just from what I’ve read. I live in Palm desert and it’s 90 outside, 70 at night, so I need to figure out what I can do that’s best for our weather here to. I’m worried he may get cold with it being 72 in my home. I’m getting ready to go make breakfast for him or her now.😅I just need to do what’s best for the little one, I would love to keep him. Need to find out sex too. They are such magnificent forms of life, I want him to be happy too ❤ thank you sooo much for your videos!! 🤗🫶🐢
Thanks! I have a 10-year-old male (rescued; his owner died) and he hasn’t eaten anything in the 2+ weeks I’ve had him, except for cuttlebone (long story on how that happened). Anyway, this was great, although I’ve tried most of what you’ve recommended and offer him dandelion leaves/stems daily. Hmm. He was a “big city” tortoise until his owner died, and I don’t know what he fed him, but now he’s in the Mojave Desert and I hope he’s just adjusting. Any thoughts?
I do!! Big and strong ! And they are just the best little dinosaurs to watch eat and walk. I just love them so much. I told my bf when we have kids they will have to be put in our will and maybe their will for the grandkids 🤣🤣 since they live forever
@@Chocolate17Chip awwwww I’m happy for you. Yes regarding the ‘will’, mine is 5 now. Still healthy. I’m 62 and inherited him from my dad so Ryan will be in my will also. Maybe I’ll check in in a few years 🙂. Your video randomly showed up on my feed 🐢. Oh btw can I ask you what you feed them? Mine is mostly romaine, geranium, I ordered spineless cactus and she loved it. Have a great night!
@Toni Maroni Spineless cactus is great! I give my mine romaine lettuce, kale, spinach (not too much causes too much stool which can dehydrate them) and some mustard greens. Love to throw in bell peppers, strawberries, yellow squash. Anything left over from the garden :)
I have lots of questions so how big should baby desserts tortoises cages be? And are they supposed to be small at 2 years before mines is small and what type of food would you recommend to get?
Sorry for the delay answer. I havnt checked comments in a while. They get as big as a dinner plate. But not for a good 8 to 10 years. I feed mine romaine lettuce, mustard greens, kale, spinach(not too much can cause dehydration from too much production of stool) and then anything left of from the garden. Yellow squash , bell peppers, strawberries
Where did u get them huge plates usually for potted plants we use to have one it cracked but for my turtle to drink n sit in was very good for now I can't find water tray that low or wide or durable ill take look in garden section
Hatchlings i have fed them meal worms as it helps their shells harden. For adults, cantaloupes are good for them as it supplies water for them salt. and Vitamin D. an adult can smell a cantaloupe slice from 30 feet away and literally will come running. I am 70 years old, and my Desert Tortoise was born when i was 10 years old, so he is now 60. Likely he will outlive me. Outdoors Hatchlings should always be kept in a screened enclosure till about age 5. Ravens will pick them up on the fly and kill them.
Hi! Great video! We just got a desert tortoise for our family and we're starting it off in a terrarium. We're wondering what substrate/dirt to use? We bought bark, but I just read that it's not good for them because they might try to eat it.
Sometimes the babies try to eat the reptibark so we ended using the cocofiner soil but that was really messy as babies so we mixed the 2 and just had to watch them closely
Aspenfall Draws yes that's perfectly fine ! In fact they will probably love it! Just make sure you cut off all the parts that could have sharp points and I always cut mine up for them if I buy it.
Hi! I've had my desert tortoise for about 13 years now, and he's been a indoor baby till recently. I moved to Nevada and now that I have a backyard I've had him living freely outside. Except at night . It's been a few months now, and just recently I've noticed his shell is peeling off . Like little bits and pieces. And he's even broken a little peace of the edge of his shell , nothing to bad. I'm just worried , is this normal or should I keep him inside again. I just don't want him to get hurt. I'd love any advice from fellow desert tortoise parents 🙏
Sorry I havnt checked comments in a while. I used to use a vitamin e oil on the shell or skin for issues. But you can't use it if they will be in the sun or a lamp since it will burn them. How's the progress going ? Also bath soaks will help with that
I need advice for my 2 year old sulcata tortoise 🐢 on good substrate I repti bark right now but I was wondering if he could use something else or better I have him inside at the moment theres to many cats where I stay at
Hi, great vid. Diet is always tough. I try to have my tortoises graze off the weeds in the backyard, as often as possible. But a lot times, I have to settle for Romaine lettuce. No ice-berg. And yes, they love dandelions.
Ijust wanted to ask a quick question i am going to be buying a leopard gecko and iv heard around people say heat lamps arnt good but my room gets really cold, and i was wondering if i should use one to keep the temperature warm PLEASE HELP😩🙏🏾😪
Heat lamps are not good because geckos absorb heat from there underside and they need an understand mat. and have it plugged into a thermostat regulator plug so you can control the temp. Because if it gets to hot and can burn him . DONOT! use hot rocks. they are the worst! if you have any questions i do have a video of my leopard gecko care but its older. Or feel free to ask me any other questions
How often do you feed them and how much? I just got two that were kind of poorly take care and they’re about a year old. I’m trying to pretty much do damage control as I feel they might have metabolic bone disease. Any advice on that?
Your an amazing person to take over and try to help out these poor adorable little creatures! At a year old feed them about twice a day and make sure to add on the calcium powder and to avoid MBD they need not only the powder but plenty of sunshine ! I would take mine outside everyday for hours ! I built them a special enclosure so they were safe from predators and make sure there is still some shade for them to cool off when needed. I also gave mine bath soaks every other day or everyday. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions
Hi, I inherited a baby tortoise (he’s a year old). He wants to hibernate and I am worried about him starving. Should I let him sleep or wake him up regularly to eat? Thanks
Hi I am sorry I am responding late I have been out of state on vacation. I would keep him warm throughout this winter and do not let him hibernate. If theres any chance that they are not fully fed or hydrated before going into hibernation do not let them.
ChocolateChip17 Thank you so much for the information. I searched high and low for information on u tube and the internet. Yours is the most comprehensive and informative! Thank you again ❣️
Sorry this is really delayed. I unfortunately dont have a video of me doing the process but I can try to find step by step pictures of what I did back then. But I also have a new enclosure now in my apartment I wanted to show off and talk about :)
I also have a desert tortoise a Sonoran desert tortoise and I have all the papers and stuff it’s legal for me it have him his name is... Rengo and he hates tomatoes idk why but he just hates tomatoes he refuses to eat tomatoes
how do you know if you're over feeding them? also have yr tortoises ever done this weird thing where their eyes get kinda puffy and they sort of roll their eyes back and try to rub their eyes or something? mine does this sometimes after sticking its head in water. and does it matter if i give it water from the garden hose??
Chris Lee well they normally live in the desert and live off of rain water which is somewhat cleaner than a hose water. I give mine hose water because we have a water filter for the house that also filters the hoses. If yours is having a reaction to the hose water then I would stop and just give it filtered house water. There might be something that is getting into the eyes and burning them. I would stop using that water asap if you see the eyes get puffy. See if using the house water does it. If it does than I would take your little one to the vet or at least call your local desert tortoise vet. They can answer a lot of questions over the phone. :) as for over feeding. They are grazers and will eat all day if they could. So just monitor for them getting too fat around their shell and only feed them once in the morning and once at night and little portions each time. I have 2 who live together right now so I feed more at each feeding.
ChocolateChip17 thanks for the info! it's good that you let them soak cause lack of humidity seems to be the biggest reason why they get pyramiding! especially when they're young. watch this video called "the end of pyramiding" on youtube. the guy really knows what he's talking about and although he's talking about sulcatas he states that this is the same with california desert tortoises. i guess humidity isn't a well known factor but if you can see in the shown in the video this dude proves it.
Hey girl I know this is from 2016 but I'm doing some research on desert tortoise's because my dad sadly passed away and me and my mom are trying to figure how to to take good care of him since my dad always did that and we are learning... loved your video :)
I'm so so sorry for you loss. Prayers to you and your family ! Let me know any questions you need help on! And how old your tortoise is. I would love to help you guys!
For "NOW",(perhaps).,.....But I've had/HAVE the same tortoises for "65"+ years.,......They've NEVER,ever eaten that garbage.You haven't had your torts for even 5 years.,......LISTEN (read) carefully to "Declan50",(below).,......WEEDS,grasses,shrubs,flowers (MAZURI is "A-O-K"),(in the mix).Tortoises (for a long life NEED to graze,pull at weeds & flowers,etc.,.....Grazing(walking) pulling,gnawing,ripping,tearing,digging(hibernation)/(burrowing).Whatever you do do NOT use to many LIQUID/SATURATED plants.,.......DRYNESS(believe it or not) has it's place in the balance.,......Really lighten-up on the FRUIT(occasional).We have over "85" torts,.....From Galapagos,to Aldabra,Sulcata,Leapord,Marginated,r torts are ALIVE & thriving.,....on our 6&1/2 acre property in the Florida Keys.We "KNOW" our torts.We grow over 80 plants/flowers/cacti that these/the INDIVIDUAL torts THRIVE (not just survive) on.,.....P.S.,.....They will/DO eat bugs and lizards and some other lively little characters.
I "DON'T" believe you,period!!!!,....TORTS shouldn't be fed from the grocery store(only lightly supplimented..,.....Lets "SEE" your generations OLD tortoises.,....Get a grip,babe,you're an amateur.,......ALSO!!!,...."Declan50(I don't know him) recommendation of DANDELIONS is "RIGHT ON",.....also the Dandelion GREENS that are the leaves at the base of these nutritious flowering plants (tortoise bonus).
Thank you for the video. I have stuck with various lettuces, dandelion, miscellaneous grasses around my yard & neighbors yard (no pesticides!), endive, sometimes I attempt strawberries & he'll take a bite, clover, a bit of carrot, & occasional spineless prickly pear cactus which makes him poop. I make sure the food is in small pieces for the little tortoise & that there are no thorns on the cactus.
Thank you so much for all this info! I recently rescued a desert tortoise that I believe was abandoned or escaped their habitat. I’m trying very hard to find the owners, I just rescued him yesterday. So I have him in a big kiddie pool with card board boxes and fed him some strawberries, spinach, and broccoli, with sweet potato because that’s what I had in my fridge. I let him roam around in a grass area behind my condo, but it’s not enclosed. Last night I brought the rubber kiddie pool(which is my dogs😂) inside and put boxes so they are like huts. Now I need to make this setup and need all the help I can get. He or she is about 8 inches, a desert tortoise, and I’m getting so attached. Like you my dog is my family. So I should have known this feeling of attachment was coming. I do want to find the owners and an posting locally. Today I Al going to work on habitat and buy organic produce that you recommend. I’m concerned about salmonella just from what I’ve read. I live in Palm desert and it’s 90 outside, 70 at night, so I need to figure out what I can do that’s best for our weather here to. I’m worried he may get cold with it being 72 in my home. I’m getting ready to go make breakfast for him or her now.😅I just need to do what’s best for the little one, I would love to keep him. Need to find out sex too. They are such magnificent forms of life, I want him to be happy too ❤ thank you sooo much for your videos!! 🤗🫶🐢
Thanks! I have a 10-year-old male (rescued; his owner died) and he hasn’t eaten anything in the 2+ weeks I’ve had him, except for cuttlebone (long story on how that happened). Anyway, this was great, although I’ve tried most of what you’ve recommended and offer him dandelion leaves/stems daily. Hmm. He was a “big city” tortoise until his owner died, and I don’t know what he fed him, but now he’s in the Mojave Desert and I hope he’s just adjusting. Any thoughts?
Hi, do you still have tortoises anymore? I’m just curious ☺️
I do!! Big and strong ! And they are just the best little dinosaurs to watch eat and walk. I just love them so much.
I told my bf when we have kids they will have to be put in our will and maybe their will for the grandkids 🤣🤣 since they live forever
@@Chocolate17Chip awwwww I’m happy for you. Yes regarding the ‘will’, mine is 5 now. Still healthy. I’m 62 and inherited him from my dad so Ryan will be in my will also. Maybe I’ll check in in a few years 🙂. Your video randomly showed up on my feed 🐢. Oh btw can I ask you what you feed them? Mine is mostly romaine, geranium, I ordered spineless cactus and she loved it. Have a great night!
@Toni Maroni Spineless cactus is great!
I give my mine romaine lettuce, kale, spinach (not too much causes too much stool which can dehydrate them) and some mustard greens. Love to throw in bell peppers, strawberries, yellow squash. Anything left over from the garden :)
@@Chocolate17Chip I will introduce some of those to mine this season, thanks again 💞🐢
I have lots of questions so how big should baby desserts tortoises cages be? And are they supposed to be small at 2 years before mines is small and what type of food would you recommend to get?
Sorry for the delay answer. I havnt checked comments in a while. They get as big as a dinner plate. But not for a good 8 to 10 years.
I feed mine romaine lettuce, mustard greens, kale, spinach(not too much can cause dehydration from too much production of stool) and then anything left of from the garden. Yellow squash , bell peppers, strawberries
how old are they in that size
Where did u get them huge plates usually for potted plants we use to have one it cracked but for my turtle to drink n sit in was very good for now I can't find water tray that low or wide or durable ill take look in garden section
I found mine at home depot or Lowes. Sometimes if you go to reptile or pet expos they have things similar too
Hatchlings i have fed them meal worms as it helps their shells harden.
For adults, cantaloupes are good for them as it supplies water for them salt. and Vitamin D.
an adult can smell a cantaloupe slice from 30 feet away and literally will come running.
I am 70 years old, and my Desert Tortoise was born when i was 10 years old, so he is now 60.
Likely he will outlive me.
Outdoors Hatchlings should always be kept in a screened enclosure till about age 5. Ravens will pick them up on the fly and kill them.
Hi! Great video! We just got a desert tortoise for our family and we're starting it off in a terrarium. We're wondering what substrate/dirt to use? We bought bark, but I just read that it's not good for them because they might try to eat it.
Sometimes the babies try to eat the reptibark so we ended using the cocofiner soil but that was really messy as babies so we mixed the 2 and just had to watch them closely
What do you think about feeding desert tortoises cactus? Like spineless prickly pear cactus
Aspenfall Draws yes that's perfectly fine ! In fact they will probably love it! Just make sure you cut off all the parts that could have sharp points and I always cut mine up for them if I buy it.
Hi im new here! Love, can they have timothy hay?
Hi great question. Actually these are desert tortoises and can do poorly on Timothy hay. Hay would be for your Sulcata tortoises :)
Hi! I've had my desert tortoise for about 13 years now, and he's been a indoor baby till recently. I moved to Nevada and now that I have a backyard I've had him living freely outside. Except at night . It's been a few months now, and just recently I've noticed his shell is peeling off . Like little bits and pieces. And he's even broken a little peace of the edge of his shell , nothing to bad. I'm just worried , is this normal or should I keep him inside again. I just don't want him to get hurt. I'd love any advice from fellow desert tortoise parents 🙏
Sorry I havnt checked comments in a while. I used to use a vitamin e oil on the shell or skin for issues. But you can't use it if they will be in the sun or a lamp since it will burn them. How's the progress going ?
Also bath soaks will help with that
HELP I found a desert tortoise what can I feed her. Where do I call for help. I live in California
Look up desert tortoise chapter club near you. They should be able to help. If it's in the desert or in the wild leave it be.
ua-cam.com/users/GingerVegas
I have lots that will help you here. I have helped lots of hatchlings and desert tortoises of all ages.
I need advice for my 2 year old sulcata tortoise 🐢 on good substrate I repti bark right now but I was wondering if he could use something else or better I have him inside at the moment theres to many cats where I stay at
if you havent tried zoo med grassland tortoise food it’s supposed to be really good for them since its mainly fiber and only a little protein.
Hi, great vid. Diet is always tough. I try to have my tortoises graze off the weeds in the backyard, as often as possible. But a lot times, I have to settle for Romaine lettuce. No ice-berg. And yes, they love dandelions.
Thank you ! I love my little ones!
Ijust wanted to ask a quick question i am going to be buying a leopard gecko and iv heard around people say heat lamps arnt good but my room gets really cold, and i was wondering if i should use one to keep the temperature warm PLEASE HELP😩🙏🏾😪
Heat lamps are not good because geckos absorb heat from there underside
and they need an understand mat. and have it plugged into a thermostat
regulator plug so you can control the temp. Because if it gets to hot
and can burn him . DONOT! use hot rocks. they are the worst! if you have
any questions i do have a video of my leopard gecko care but its older.
Or feel free to ask me any other questions
How often do you feed them and how much? I just got two that were kind of poorly take care and they’re about a year old. I’m trying to pretty much do damage control as I feel they might have metabolic bone disease. Any advice on that?
Your an amazing person to take over and try to help out these poor adorable little creatures! At a year old feed them about twice a day and make sure to add on the calcium powder and to avoid MBD they need not only the powder but plenty of sunshine ! I would take mine outside everyday for hours ! I built them a special enclosure so they were safe from predators and make sure there is still some shade for them to cool off when needed. I also gave mine bath soaks every other day or everyday. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions
@@Chocolate17Chip thanks so much!
Hi, I inherited a baby tortoise (he’s a year old). He wants to hibernate and I am worried about him starving. Should I let him sleep or wake him up regularly to eat? Thanks
Hi I am sorry I am responding late I have been out of state on vacation. I would keep him warm throughout this winter and do not let him hibernate. If theres any chance that they are not fully fed or hydrated before going into hibernation do not let them.
ChocolateChip17 Thank you so much for the information. I searched high and low for information on u tube and the internet. Yours is the most comprehensive and informative! Thank you again ❣️
@@Tonimaroni2BeKindToAnimals aww thank you so much. That was my goal! If you have anymore questions let me know :)
I don't believe the government has the right to tell me what animals I can own. Come and get them ⚔️
Can u make a vid about how u made the out side habit
Sorry this is really delayed. I unfortunately dont have a video of me doing the process but I can try to find step by step pictures of what I did back then. But I also have a new enclosure now in my apartment I wanted to show off and talk about :)
I also have a desert tortoise a Sonoran desert tortoise and I have all the papers and stuff it’s legal for me it have him his name is... Rengo and he hates tomatoes idk why but he just hates tomatoes he refuses to eat tomatoes
Spinach makes tortoises have a hard time getting the nutritional value out of calcium
It makes them poo quite a bit. So I only give it as a treat now :)
how do you know if you're over feeding them? also have yr tortoises ever done this weird thing where their eyes get kinda puffy and they sort of roll their eyes back and try to rub their eyes or something? mine does this sometimes after sticking its head in water. and does it matter if i give it water from the garden hose??
Chris Lee well they normally live in the desert and live off of rain water which is somewhat cleaner than a hose water. I give mine hose water because we have a water filter for the house that also filters the hoses. If yours is having a reaction to the hose water then I would stop and just give it filtered house water. There might be something that is getting into the eyes and burning them. I would stop using that water asap if you see the eyes get puffy. See if using the house water does it. If it does than I would take your little one to the vet or at least call your local desert tortoise vet. They can answer a lot of questions over the phone. :) as for over feeding. They are grazers and will eat all day if they could. So just monitor for them getting too fat around their shell and only feed them once in the morning and once at night and little portions each time. I have 2 who live together right now so I feed more at each feeding.
ChocolateChip17 thanks for the info! it's good that you let them soak cause lack of humidity seems to be the biggest reason why they get pyramiding! especially when they're young. watch this video called "the end of pyramiding" on youtube. the guy really knows what he's talking about and although he's talking about sulcatas he states that this is the same with california desert tortoises. i guess humidity isn't a well known factor but if you can see in the shown in the video this dude proves it.
Question!!! Does my tortoise have to have a heat lamp and uvb?
Hey girl I know this is from 2016 but I'm doing some research on desert tortoise's because my dad sadly passed away and me and my mom are trying to figure how to to take good care of him since my dad always did that and we are learning... loved your video :)
I'm so so sorry for you loss. Prayers to you and your family ! Let me know any questions you need help on! And how old your tortoise is. I would love to help you guys!
M7(6
OMC my tortoise, LOVES SNAP PEAS
A lousy,unhealthy,DANGEROUS diet.,......Tsssk,tssssk!
PrinceWilliam TheFox false. My tortoises are fine. And are healthy
For "NOW",(perhaps).,.....But I've had/HAVE the same tortoises for "65"+ years.,......They've NEVER,ever eaten that garbage.You haven't had your torts for even 5 years.,......LISTEN (read) carefully to "Declan50",(below).,......WEEDS,grasses,shrubs,flowers (MAZURI is "A-O-K"),(in the mix).Tortoises (for a long life NEED to graze,pull at weeds & flowers,etc.,.....Grazing(walking) pulling,gnawing,ripping,tearing,digging(hibernation)/(burrowing).Whatever you do do NOT use to many LIQUID/SATURATED plants.,.......DRYNESS(believe it or not) has it's place in the balance.,......Really lighten-up on the FRUIT(occasional).We have over "85" torts,.....From Galapagos,to Aldabra,Sulcata,Leapord,Marginated,r torts are ALIVE & thriving.,....on our 6&1/2 acre property in the Florida Keys.We "KNOW" our torts.We grow over 80 plants/flowers/cacti that these/the INDIVIDUAL torts THRIVE (not just survive) on.,.....P.S.,.....They will/DO eat bugs and lizards and some other lively little characters.
PrinceWilliam TheFox thank you but my family has had desert tortoise for generations and generations. I know what is expected. Please don't assume.
I "DON'T" believe you,period!!!!,....TORTS shouldn't be fed from the grocery store(only lightly supplimented..,.....Lets "SEE" your generations OLD tortoises.,....Get a grip,babe,you're an amateur.,......ALSO!!!,...."Declan50(I don't know him) recommendation of DANDELIONS is "RIGHT ON",.....also the Dandelion GREENS that are the leaves at the base of these nutritious flowering plants (tortoise bonus).
PrinceWilliam TheFox believe what you will :) it's okay. Just trying to be helpful