Desert Tortoise Pets

Desert tortoise pets are scientifically known as Xerobates agassizii. Desert tortoise is a medium sized tortoise and grows up to the size of 9-15 inches. Desert tortoises are known to live a long life of about 60 to 80 years

Tortoise housing:-

1. A large glass aquarium will do for housing the hatchling
2. The floor should be covered with newspaper, paper towels rabbit or guinea pig pellets or garden dirt
3. Hatchlings should not be placed with adults to prevent any injury

Outdoor housing for tortoises:-

1. Outdoor housing is preferred over the indoor one. Many keepers construct an artificial burrow for their desert tortoise pets to mimic their natural environment
2. It should be predator proof and should be considered as an option during warm weather
3. They like to burrow and hence the perimeter should have sides extending well below the soil surface

Indoor housing for tortoises:-

1. This is mostly done for hatchlings
2. Desert tortoises are not available outside its natural habitat legally hence it can be kept in the available natural environment
3. Indoor enclosure is necessary only in case where outdoor housings are not predator free or environmentally unsuitable
4. Turtle table of 2 feet by 4 feet can be used as indoor housing for desert tortoise
5. Holes can be made at the bottom to allow sinking of food
6. Water area should allow the tortoise to soak itself without the danger of drowning

Heat and light requirements:-

1. A spot lamp of 100 aw should be placed in the tortoise housing for basking purpose
2. It should be able to provide a basking temperature of 90F
3. The housing should also have a full spectrum fluorescent light to provide for UVB source that facilitates synthesis of Vit D3
4. The housing should not have a cold weather with wet conditions as it will result in respiratory distress

Hibernation:-

1. Desert tortoises hibernate during late October as the days become cooler
2. It will eat less, bask less and appear sluggish. These are the signs of hibernation
3. You will have to provide your pet tortoise with a suitable hibernation place
4. It should be well fed and look plump with nice stout legs and shoulders before hibernating or else it may not survive the winter
5. You should regularly check by touching the feet of your pet during hibernation
6. During March or April, your pet should waken and resume its normal activity of eating, exercising and sunbathing

Substrate:-

1. The dry portion of the housing should have grass hay or orchard grass hay as substrate
2. Desert tortoises are very sensitive to excess humidity and hay protects it as it does not hold humidity
3. Grass also provides supplementary food when it is nibbled
4. Wet or spoiled hay should be removed immediately

Tortoise food:-

1. Tortoise food should have high fiber content, low protein and should be calcium rich
2. It should include:
3. Cacti
4. Grasses
5. Assorted weeds
6. Leafy greens like dandelions, endive and grape leaves
7. Calcium supplementation is also important and food can be sprinkled with calcium powder
8. Cuttlefish bone can be given to nibble
9. Regular supplementation of vitamins and minerals is also encouraged

You should check the laws before having a desert tortoise pet. You can have a hatchling from a breeding captive animal. This article on desert tortoise pet informs you about the tortoise housing, tortoise food and other tortoise care.