Gopherus ID please

[tortadise]

I'm not well versed on the gopherus species. It appears to be a Mojave to me but I'm not certain when it comes to the gophers(except Texas and Florida) @Yvonne G @ascott would probably know.

He I'd definitely not native to Texas where he was found. Need to I'd him properly so he can return to either Cali or Arizona in it's native environment.

 

[mike taylor]

I don't know if he is a California or Arizona tortoise but he can have a home here at T&T Farm .( turtle&tortoise farm)

 

[Yvonne G]

Sorry, Charlie! It is against the law to bring errant tortoises back into their state. They're very strict about that.

He doesn't quite look like agassizii, but he doesn't look like a florida either. I think he's a cross between a Texas and an agassizii.

 

[tglazie]

What is the law in Texas concerning non-native Gopherus, I wonder? Apologies, I'm totally unfamiliar with North American torts, but I was just curious, especially if the law is strict about bringing errant tortoises back into their home state. I mean, what's to become of this guy? Surely someone would be willing to take in such a magnificent beast. I mean, Mike over here is obviously chomping at the bit. Would this be illegal?

T.G.

 

[mike taylor]

If he needs a home Kelly will find him a good one . I will take him in no problem . He's in good hands now . Yvonne what makes you think he is a cross?

 

[ascott]

Morafkai....would be my final answer...the shape of the tortoise as well as the elongated shape of the head....this is from a non scientist...simply an admirers best guess based, on the pic you provided vs the various comparisons based on others field research and pictures...I actually believe I have one of these guys here...and by the way, that last pic you posted.....wow, I so wish I could see what that tort has seen...what a beautiful, yet frightened face....please take great care with this tort....he has seen alot (oh, just a simple humans emotions placed here )......

 

[ascott]

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2842#.VCEVMCjw75s

 

[Yvonne G]

If he needs a home Kelly will find him a good one . I will take him in no problem . He's in good hands now . Yvonne what makes you think he is a cross?

The round body shape plus he looks small for his obvious age.

 

[mike taylor]

So whats the rules on keeping a California tortoise in Texas if the tortoise is already in Texas . If Kelly can't send him back to his home state . Then he is stuck in Texas . Are you suppose to give them to wildlife management to have them put down or something?

 

[tortadise]

Hmm yeah I don't know. I may send him to El Paso for a DNA test and go from there. The gophers don't really do well up where we are. It gets too cold to hibernate them and too dry to keep them up. I will figure something out. He's pretty cool though.

 

[tortadise]

So whats the rules on keeping a California tortoise in Texas if the tortoise is already in Texas . If Kelly can't send him back to his home state . Then he is stuck in Texas . Are you suppose to give them to wildlife management to have them put down or something?

Well TXPW would be the ones to give them to me anyways, they do it all the time from Texas, to gophers, to box turtles. I suppose I can call my warden friend who drops stuff off out here all the time and ask him. There's no jurisdiction of them here though. So good question.

 

[bouaboua]

I like DT, but none here in Northern Cal....

 

[ascott]

I can not imagine that the climate in Texas is too harsh for the tort...I mean, here in the Mojave it can get below freezing for days into weeks and the dryness should not be a problem either????

 

[mike taylor]

Did you find anything out Kelly?