I have built (Video attached) a small pond for my two (1-3 year-old) red-eared sliders. It is under a deck that allows morning sun for about 4 hours, then indirect (Through the deck slats) for the remainder of the day. During the summer the average outside temp (So. Cal) is 80-85 (less in the...
First off, Elvis, the desert wonder tortoise is alive and active! Now, I am building an outdoor pond for (what I am planning for) one or two FEMALE red-eared sliders. The pond will be incorporated into my desert tortoise garden yet the two breeds will not be able to see each other, so in essence...
My Elvis is a male desert tortoise between 20-40 years of age. When I took over Elvis as my ward a year and a half ago, he went straight into a double box for four months (November 1st). A novice, I was scared that he wouldn't survive... wrong. During that time I went to work on a tortoise...
20+ year old male desert tortoise. I am creating an additional adjacent 12' x 12' open space for Elvis in the hope he can just stay outside all year round. The space is 7' below a slatted view deck with a solid block wall on one side which will protect against the elements. Lots of dirt and a...
This is the second time I have seen this whitish, milky stuff. My desert Tortoise (15-20 year adult) has been out and about for a week, now. He has been grazing on St Augustine and some Bermuda, Panzies. He hasn't gone after the Hibiscus, Geranium or Marigolds, as much as I have noticed. At...
My garden is complete (I think), and I'm hoping it's safe for Elvis. The creeping fig will be the covering of Elvis's home and once filled-in will be trimmed back where he won't be able (hopefully) to get at it. With the other grazing plants I'm thinking he will just avoid. The olive shrub is...
My Tortoise garden is ready, I've figured out my food for Elvis... everything is ready to go, but where is Elvis (He's left the building)? I keep checking his box in the recesses of the garage and I do not hear any growing movement. I checked on him two weeks ago and he was sound asleep. When I...
Elvis is an adult male. Last weighed at around 12lbs. I adopted him on November 1st, 2020 and was not really prepared with my enclosure. He wasn't exactly lethargic yet, but I allowed him to soak a bit and he was able to defecate before boxing him up and putting him in a dark corner of my...
I have just completed my new enclosure for Elvis, a 15 year-old Desert Tortoise. Grasses, Hibiscus, Geranium, Marigold and Panzies through-out. I would like to add a fruitless dwarf olive shrub/tree because I think it would do well and it's pretty, but cannot find anywhere would this be okay or...