New Desert Tortoise owner from California - hello!

Susannadior

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Messages
24
Location (City and/or State)
California
Hi everyone! I am so happy that I found this forum. I just rescued a 3 month old desert tortoise. We have named him/her Murphy and both my husband and I adore this little guy to death. We live in Southern California (Palm Springs area) and this is our first tortoise. Eager to meet you all and gain more insight on keeping our baby happy and healthy!
 

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Chasen

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2018
Messages
339
Location (City and/or State)
Galveston
Hello and welcome to this amazing forum. I've been given sound advice here, so you're in great hands. Did you get your little one thru CTTC?
 

coshepard

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2018
Messages
34
Location (City and/or State)
Ladera Ranch
Hi everyone! I am so happy that I found this forum. I just rescued a 3 month old desert tortoise. We have named him/her Murphy and both my husband and I adore this little guy to death. We live in Southern California (Palm Springs area) and this is our first tortoise. Eager to meet you all and gain more insight on keeping our baby happy and healthy!
Hi hope you enjoy having a tort!:tort::<3:
hope it brings you so much joy!!!
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,405
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Welcome to the Forum, Susanna! Be sure to keep the little guy in a humid environment. Because they're so small, they dehydrate quickly.
 

Susannadior

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Messages
24
Location (City and/or State)
California
Hello and welcome to this amazing forum. I've been given sound advice here, so you're in great hands. Did you get your little one thru CTTC?
That's great to hear! Getting any more than basic information from the web is nearly impossible so this is great.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Hello and welcome!

Most of the care info you find for this species will be wrong. Most babies die every year because people keep them far too dry by following the care sheets and "expert" advice from vets and other keepers. Babies need WATER. Soak them every day, use damp substrate for them to burrow into, and offer a humid hide. Dehydration is the number one killer of DT babies. Care for them is identical to Russian tortoises, so check these out:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
 

Susannadior

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Messages
24
Location (City and/or State)
California
Hello and welcome!

Most of the care info you find for this species will be wrong. Most babies die every year because people keep them far too dry by following the care sheets and "expert" advice from vets and other keepers. Babies need WATER. Soak them every day, use damp substrate for them to burrow into, and offer a humid hide. Dehydration is the number one killer of DT babies. Care for them is identical to Russian tortoises, so check these out:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
Wow thank you so much!!!!
 
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