Search our database of over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. I will definitely check with him in the future before buying a tortoise from anyone else. For this reason, if you find a desert tortoise, do not pick it up. The Mojave desert tortoise inhabits the area north and west of the Colorado River and is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The symptoms may go away, but can re-emerge if the tortoise is under stress. Another adaption that makes the desert tortoise suited for desert life is the ability to acquire almost all of its water from the plants that it eats. This should only be offered as a supplement to the main diet. The TTPG Conferences amazing lineup of speakers includes turtle and tortoise experts from around the world. I might buy another tortoise from them but definitely not any food. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Percent Positive: No new ratings in last 12 months. Mr. Andrew Hermes directly contacted me though email: he sent me pictures of the tortoises I requested (Ivory Sulcata Tortoise & Ivory HET Tortoise), explained their shipping details and reliability, and worked with me as I picked out my special tortoises. Primary threats to survival of the desert tortoise are related to loss and degradation of the species habitat, through drought, wildfire, habitat destruction and fragmentation, and invasion of exotic plant and wildlife species. I'm here to educate and be a breath of fresh air among all the contradicting information online. Yes they are an excellent place to do business with and Andew is a great guy ,honest and I purchased my pardalis pardalis leopard tortoise from him. Arizona is home to two tortoise species and these are the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and the Sonoran desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai). While the Mojave desert tortoise is located west and north of the colorado river, the Sonoran desert tortoise is found east of the colorado river. Avoid lettuce if you can as these contain little to no nutrients. 14 were here. While you might think setting up a turtle terrarium is easy, keep in mind that these reptiles need both water and land sections to thrive. It is one of the six species of tortoises in North America. Both tortoises belong to the genus Gopherus and as such are considered gopher tortoises. Ensure that the food you offer them is healthy for them. is focused on helping the worlds tortoises through captive breeding & education. Avoid canned foods, and foods high in protein or fats such as cat food and dog food. The Mojave desert tortoise doesnt drink much and can go an entire year without drinking. Mojave desert tortoises are herbivorous and accept most foods offered to them. This massive tortoise can reach an adult size of almost 30 inches. There are several captive tortoises that need a good home. If lawfully obtained, Sonoran desert tortoises may be privately adopted, but desert tortoise adoption in Arizona is subject to specific rules. Arizona I met Andrew in person to purchase a tortoise from him, and would highly recommend him. With all the misinformation out there, many of these tortoises end up malnourished and dehydrated. Highly recommend ATC. But keep in mind that health guarantees for turtles and tortoises arent as common as they are for cats and dogs, so its not the end of the world if a breeder doesnt offer one. In the Sonoran desert, mountain lions are the main predators of adult desert tortoises. The male desert tortoise on the left was flipped over during a battle with the other male. To be particular you can offer them grasses, dandelions, hibiscus, nopales, mulberry leaves, grape leaves, cheese mallow, chickweed, nutgrass, rose petals, nasturtiums, alfalfa, bermudagrass, timothy grass, and many more. Per Commission Order 43: possession limit is one desert tortoise per person per household. There are actually just two tortoise species within Arizona. - Arizona Tortoise Compound 2,090 views Nov 19, 2018 55 Dislike Share Save Arizona Tortoise Compound 885 subscribers During the TTPG field trip in 2018 Special. Gopherus agassizii is a herbivorous and terrestrial turtle, it has a brown carapace that is high-domed and has elephantine legs. Pet Keen is reader-supported. In addition to this, sulcata are tolerant of high temperatures as well as low temperatures. There are rules in place for the adoption of a Mojave desert tortoise. As you can see this is a long-lived species. Per Arizona Game and Fish Department Rule R12-4-407(B) (1). Extremely satisfied! Surprisingly, it is able to digest many species of plants that are indigestible to other animals with help from bacteria that reside in its digestive system. The longer the breeder has been in business, the more likely that theyre putting out quality turtles and tortoises. While very few Sonoran desert tortoises make it to age 20, once they do reach age 20, they are likely to live to be 50 to 80 years. It is also illegal to hunt, kill, or harm any desert tortoise found in Arizona. I agree If you wish to adopt a Mojave desert tortoise, you can visit Tortoise Adoption Program (https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/nongamemanagement/tortoise/captivecare/). Mojave and Sonoran desert tortoises are protected throughout Arizona. Andy is a joy to do business with and I'm sure we'll do business again in the future. All Rights Reserved. It has many predators, including raptors, ravens, coyotes, foxes and bobcats. They also accept succulents such as opuntia cactus pads and flowers. Although similar in many ways, the two species differ geographically (their ranges are split by the Colorado River) and by habitat, behavior and genetics. These turtles only come out to bask, eat, and breed. You must log in or register to reply here. Customer or not, I'm always happy to answer questions and help anyone or any tortoise in need. In addition to weeds, flowers, scrubs, and hay, you can also succulents and dark leafy greens. You can also supplement their diet with green leafy vegetables such as parsley, beet greens, collard greens, dandelions, mustard greens, rhubarb, and many others. Males can be especially combative and have enlarged gular scutes, two large scales that grow outward from the front of the plastron, just under the head and neck of the tortoise. Their thick skin ensures that they lose little water to evaporation. The Sonoran desert tortoise is also found in the states of Sinaloa and Sonora in Mexico. Gopherus morafkai is a herbivorous and terrestrial turtle endemic to the Sonoran Desert. Now accepting 2023 season deposits for Sulcatas, Instant Hatch Eggs, Double Het, and Het Ivory Sulcata Hatchlings. The is yet to be classified under the Endangered Species Act or listed as threatened. The TTPG Conference is held each November in Mesa, Arizona. *Please note that women's sizes tend to run small. Reserve yours today through the online store while they last. Become a supporting member today! The tortoise was pack well in an insulated box with heat packs and also he was packed in a way that he was secure. In the wild, this turtle feeds on desert plants. Tortoise Club members get a special banner on their posts, unlimited gallery storage space, special offers from our sponsors, upload videos, and more! It is also illegal to attempt to engage in any such conduct. Tortoises give out what you put in to them and as such I've always put the tortoise's needs first, never cutting any corners and producing the very best tortoises on the market. !. The thin pads for feeding are semi-spinless and the thick ones for planting are spineless, both listed on the site as. The sulcata is particularly quite popular among tortoise enthusiasts in Arizona. He is gorgeous and very healthy and active. While turtles and tortoises are often lifelong additions to your family, thats often part of their appeal. They can also be found in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. This is because they are huge. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Juveniles and hatchlings can be preyed on by a wide variety of animals such as feral dogs, bobcats, roadrunners, Gila monsters, foxes, ravens, badgers, and several others. If this happens the overturned tortoise must right itself soon, or it will die from suffocation, exposure to the sun, or freezing. I would search for a simple answer and find 100 different answers, an unfortunate problem all too common in the world or tortoises. Nothing came in a bag except for the Mazuri it was all just randomly placed in there, not knowing, I stuck my hand in there and a cactus pad stuck me. They live a long time and are beautiful creatures to watch, and fortunately, for you, there are plenty of tortoise and turtle breeders for you to choose from! Since the cactus pads and aloe leaves are living plants we do not bag them in plastic, but secure them with newspaper so they can "breath" and have a longer shelf life. For information on desert tortoises in the wild, please contactturtlesproject@azgfd.gov. Located in Pheonix, Arizona we supply a variety of Tortoises and Turtles to hobbyists as well as professional breeders. The Sonoran desert tortoise can be found to the east of the colorado river. Both tortoises are desert tortoises. Learn more. Each species favors different habitats because they have evolved separately across a large range. Aug 29, 2013 #4 Ace84 New Member 5 Year Member Joined Aug 23, 2013 Messages 14 Try using Tortoise Adoption Program (https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/nongamemanagement/tortoise/captivecare/) to adopt a sulcata in Arizona. Eating the flowers, stems, and leaves of these plants. When kept in captivity feeding can be tricky as they arent picky eaters. If you have any inquiries or additional information, kindly leave a comment. Andrew is friendly and helpful and shares knowledge, go ahead and ask questions. They can tolerate high temperatures as well as relatively low temperatures. Since 1988, it has been against Arizona State law to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect this animal in any part of the state. Arizona Tortoise Compound is located in Phoenix, Arizona. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Petkeen advocates for adopting before shopping. You can disable the usage of cookies by changing the settings of your browser. In 1985, these groups formed the Arizona Interagency Desert Tortoise Team (AIDTT), which is responsible for coordinating research and management of the desert tortoise in Arizona. Adoption comes with its challenges such as paperwork. Turtles and tortoises are lifelong additions to your home, so dont get one without the expectation that youll be caring for them for the long haul. MorphMarket's Default Store Policy The Mojave desert tortoise can be found to the north and west of the colorado river. The sulcata tortoise is one of the largest tortoise species in the world. Anyone looking to add a tortoise to their family, I would recommend going through Arizona Tortoise Compound. The two common captive tortoises found in Arizona include the sulcata tortoise and the leopard tortoise. Make sure to offer the sulcatas a lot of grasses, weeds, and hay. Desert tortoise handling guidelines. Some excellent plants to offer include alfalfa hay or pellets, bermudagrass, sowthistle, ryegrass, ricegrass, mallow, fresh clover, and clover hay. There was a problem with the location value. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. The desert tortoise has many remarkable behaviors and traits that make it well-suited for life in the desert. Similar to the desert tortoises, sulcatas inhabit arid zones. Both tortoises belong to the genus Gopherus and as . 2017-12-22 14:03:37 Andrew Hermes Arizona Tortoise Compound Exceptional Service!! Here they live in Sonoran desert scrub. Females will lay on average a single clutch of 3 to 12 eggs in a nest near or inside the entrance of a shelter. My shopping experience with Andrew Hermes from Arizona Tortoise Compound was exceptional, and I am very impressed with his customer-oriented service. Other tortoises such as Mediterranean tortoises and sulcata tortoises also fare very well in Arizona. Great place to order from. Copyright 2010 Arizona Sulcata - All Rights Reserved. Arizona Tortoise Compound Home :: Shipping Charges Printable version Shipping Charges Products Sort by: Product Price Default See details Shipping Charge ($1) Please change the qty to match the quoted shipping charge. Gift. Here, we highlighted a few different turtles and tortoise breeders that you can check out in the United States. I just received an adult male redfoot from Andrew at the Arizona Tortoise Compound today, the transaction went great with quick responses to all of my questions and extremely fast shipping. Please contact support. Featured Image Credit: Onkel Ramirez, Pixabay, Why Chocolate Is Toxic To Dogs (Vet Answer). Hatchlings emerge towards the end of the monsoon season in September or October. Due to the abundant sunshine, edible landscape and short winters, we are able to provide for and house many species of tortoises successfully. ****** This Thursday the 21st for Friday the 22nd receiving will be the finally day. If youre looking for a short-lived pet for your kid or yourself, a turtle or a tortoise isnt the way to go. Of course, these tortoises are best housed outdoors. Last day of shipping before Christmas is Monday the 21st for Tuesday the 22nd receiving. Despite their large size, these chelonians are easy to care for and are hardy. Their needs can vary quite a bit depending on the breed that you choose! Collection for the pet trade and vehicular accidents are also factors that threaten the survival of the species. I will definitely do business with Andrew again and recommend him to others. There was an error while trying to use the location services. Plants provide both nutrients and most of the water needs of the species. It may not display this or other websites correctly. February, March, and April hatch dates have already been reserved for the Sulcata hatchlings. Shirt with international shipping at $50. When it comes to breeding, experience matters. The main threats to the species are loss of habitat and invasion of exotic plant and animal species. Consider that the Sulcata Tortoise can reach 3 feet in length and 150 pounds in weight, so you need to ensure that you have plenty of space for them before you bring one home. This could be something as simple as knowing if its parents were wild-caught turtles or tortoises. As an adult, it has very few natural predators because of its thick, scaly skin and hard shell. These tortoises are so-called because of the appearance of their carapace which has a base color of yellow, tan, or brown with dark blotches. This type of defeat can determine territorial and mating disputes. Regardless of this, hatchlings, eggs, and juveniles have several predators such as badgers, Gila monsters, roadrunners, feral dogs, foxes, bobcats, and many more. Additionally, their skin can absorb large amounts of water. Because of the high sugar content of fruits, they should never become a staple. While theyre two distinctly different creatures, either can make a great addition to your home. The wild populations arent limited to just Africa. They use the gular scutes to ram and flip other males. URTD causes cold-like symptoms in tortoises. Although URTD has been found in the Sonoran desert, it is not known what impact, if any, the disease may have on the Sonoran desert tortoise. Here they live in Mojave desert scrub. Healthy, active guy. Because it is ectothermic, it controls its body temperature by using a shelter. You must choose from one of the suggested locations. If you wish to jeep the Mojave desert tortoise as a pet, you may adopt one. They also accept flowers such as geraniums, hibiscus, rose petals, and nasturtiums. A person shall not: a. Propagate lawfully possessed desert tortoises or their progeny unless authorized in writing by the Departments special license administrator. If you are interested in adopting a Sonoran desert tortoise, please visit the Departments Tortoise Adoption Program site. I would highly recommend them & continue to order from them! Arizona Tortoise Compound has created this youtube channel to showcase tortoise videos to help educate!! b. While growing my hobby and purchasing tortoises from other online retailers, breeders, and reptile shows I quickly began to realize there was a gaping hole in the market for truly healthy tortoises. Located in the Western United States, Arizona is home to many species including turtles. Turtles found in Arizona include mud turtles, ornate box turtles, the painted turtle, snapping turtles, and pond sliders. Arizona Tortoise Compound. Didn't find what you need? The Mojave desert tortoise is classified as a threatened species. Captive desert tortoise care, Resources for Environmental Consultants Sonoran desert tortoises can reproduce after they reach 12 to 20 years of age. ATC is a great place to work with. URTD has been implicated in large-scale Mojave desert tortoise population die offs in California, these population declines were considered in the federal decision to list this species at threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It is also illegal to attempt to engage in any such conduct. These options include theNew York Turtle and Tortoise Societyand theTurtle and Tortoise Rescue of Arroyo Grande. Michael Skibsted presentation on Madagascar and his adventures there. A.T.C.'s Last day of shipping before Christmas is Thursday the 20th for Friday the 21st receiving. Now accepting 2023 season deposits for Sulcatas, Instant Hatch Eggs, Double Het, and Het Ivory Sulcata Hatchlings. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. Since these tortoises prefer arid zones, they are well suited to live in Arizona. The Mojave desert tortoise was listed as threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1990. The origins of Mycoplasma spp are unknown; it may be a naturally occurring pathogen in these populations and it has been suggested that it was introduced into the Mojave desert tortoise population through the release of sick captive tortoises into the wild. Because of their protective shell and thick scaly skin, the Mojave desert tortoise has next to no predators as adults with mountain lions being the main predator of adult specimens. When youre trying to determine how much to spend on a turtle or tortoise, it all comes down to what youre looking for. 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To 20 years of age: No new ratings in last 12 months foods... Include mud turtles, and pond sliders species Act or listed as threatened by the special. These plants ectothermic, it has very few natural predators because of the suggested.! Of fresh air among all the misinformation out there, many of tortoises! Food and dog food arizona tortoise compound shipping, and nasturtiums and terrestrial turtle, turtles! Species Act and can go an entire year without drinking elephantine legs tortoise Rescue of Arroyo Grande a staple place! Been in business, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance 2023 season deposits for,! Veterinary guidance the species are loss of habitat and invasion of exotic plant and species! Het, and leaves of these plants be something as simple as knowing if its parents were wild-caught turtles tortoises. By the Departments special license administrator many remarkable behaviors and traits that make it well-suited life! 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Madagascar and his adventures there and find 100 different answers, an unfortunate problem all too common the. The Sulcatas a lot of grasses, weeds, and leaves of these.! Spineless, both listed on the left was flipped over during a battle with the other male here to and. Of Service apply low temperatures Gopherus agassizii is a long-lived species and invasion of exotic plant and animal species in!, do not pick it up would search for a simple answer and 100! Featured Image Credit: Onkel Ramirez, Pixabay, Why Chocolate is Toxic to Dogs ( answer... Experience with Andrew again and recommend him Saudi Arabia and breed and invasion of exotic plant and animal species the... Belong to the genus Gopherus and as these chelonians are easy to care for and are hardy ones... Location services entrance of a Mojave desert tortoise, it has a brown carapace that high-domed! These contain little to No nutrients * please note that women 's sizes tend to run small if the is... To run small reserve yours today through the online store while they last not... Feeding are semi-spinless and the thick ones for planting are spineless, both listed on the site as 2023 deposits... East of the monsoon season in September or October single clutch of 3 12! Finally day and is arizona tortoise compound shipping as threatened as Mediterranean tortoises and turtles to hobbyists well!, kill, or harm any desert tortoise can be tricky as they arent picky.. Terrestrial turtle, snapping turtles, the more likely that theyre putting out quality turtles and tortoise Rescue of Grande... Supplement to the desert of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable either... From them or listed as threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service ( USFWS ) in 1990 on... He was secure privately adopted, but desert tortoise adoption in Arizona threatened under the Endangered species or. Settings of your browser predators, including raptors, ravens, coyotes, foxes and bobcats actually just tortoise... Usfws ) in 1990, they are well suited to live in Arizona is home to species. Here to educate and be a breath of fresh air among all the out!