Sonoran desert tortoises need homes in Arizona. Here's how you can adopt one
Robinson, a Sonoran desert tortoise, has become a favorite among Arizona Game and Fish Department staff. Known for his curious nature, he likes to follow people, moseying over their shoes and bobbing his head as he tries to differentiate between friend or foe — or earn a piece of lettuce.
While he’s as sprightly as a tortoise can be, his scuffed and faded shell reveals his old age. He is 70, the oldest resident at AZGFD’s headquarters on the outskirts of Phoenix.
“Everybody has their favorite,” said Teagan Wolf, the desert tortoise adoption program coordinator for AZGFD. “They all have personalities. There are some that are shy, super chill or curious. You wouldn’t think so, but they’re more dog than cat.”
Robinson is one of about 75 adoptable Sonoran desert tortoises for Arizonans looking for an unconventional pet. The department has launched its spring adoption drive to find homes for tortoises abandoned or illegally bred in captivity.
Torts, short for tortoise among handlers, cannot be released back into the wild because they can spread diseases that could wipe out the wild population. AZGFD hopes people will open their backyards to give surrendered tortoises a new home.
After building a suitable burrow, prospective owners can submit an application online to adopt hatchling, juvenile, or adult tortoises. Wolf believes torts are unique family pets that can be passed down through generations because they can live up to 100 years.
Here’s what to know about adopting a Sonoran desert tortoise:
How can I adopt a desert tortoise?
Tortoises have emerged from brumation, or their winter slumber period, and need homes before temperatures rise. Arizona households can adopt one tortoise per adult resident if they meet a list of requirements.
Before submitting an application, the resident must build a burrow to shelter the tortoise from the elements. Burrows protect torts during the summer heat and provide warmth during winter brumation.
People can build one of two types of burrows:
A pipe burrow requires a 12-inch PVC pipe placed in a 16-inch hole at a 40-degree angle. Officials recommend placing a tile at the end of the pipe so the tortoise cannot keep burrowing and then covering most of the pipe with dirt, creating a berm at the entrance to keep water out.
A cinderblock burrow is easier to build by placing six cinder blocks in a U shape and filling the holes with dirt for insulation. Wonderboard is used to cover the top of the cinder blocks before adding more dirt, again creating a berm at the entrance to keep the burrow dry.
AZGFD published a video tutorial to help prospective tortoise owners build their burrows.
Torts can be territorial, so households wishing to adopt more than one should be prepared to create multiple enclosures to separate them.
Applicants must submit photos of their burrow, the overall tortoise enclosure, shade areas, placement of a water dish and access to food and a diagram of the enclosure with dimensions.
If residents have a fenced-in yard, the entire area can house a tortoise. They also have to close off pools and fire pits to protect torts from wandering into danger.
How do I care for a desert tortoise?
Arizonans looking for a pet but not wanting a significant lifestyle change may find Sonoran tortoises a good option.
“They’re lower maintenance than cats or dogs,” Wolf said. “They’re pretty self-sustaining in your yard, especially if you have plants and grass.”
Tortoises are herbivores and eat native desert grasses, leafy plants and flowers. Wolf warns plants will get “mowed down” unless households provide alternative food sources like hay or leafy produce.
Torts should be fed daily and have access to clean drinking water twice a week.
Wildlife biologists recommend taking torts to the vet once a year, preferably before winter brumation.
Changing conditions: Wildlife teams help tortoises survive various environments
Feeding declines during this time, as the tortoises will only emerge from their burrows on warm winter days. Wolf suggests providing water if a tort wakes, but not food, as they likely won’t eat until they become active in the spring.
For more information on burrows, tortoise care and how to submit an application, visit AZGFD’s website at https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/living-with-wildlife/wildlife-care-center/tortoise-adoption-information/.
Hayleigh Evans covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to hayleigh.evans@arizonarepublic.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to adopt a Sonoran desert tortoise in Arizona
