The desert tortoise, also known as the gopher tortoise and desert turtle, is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. As a federally-listed endangered species, these animals are protected, and removing them from the wild is illegal. If you have a captive desert tortoise, it is crucial to provide proper care, including a suitable diet, to ensure they can live up to 60 years or more.
Understanding the Desert Tortoise
Desert tortoises live in burrows under bushes, overhanging soil or rock formations, or in the open during the day and come out to eat during dawn and dusk. These unhurried creatures make their home throughout the park, where they spend 95 percent of their time underground. The desert tortoise was placed on both the California and Federal Endangered Species Lists in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Its status is "threatened," just one notch below "endangered." Several factors conspired to diminish the population of the desert tortoise. As more people moved into the western deserts, the resultant loss of habitat made a serious dent in the number of tortoises.
Dietary Needs of Desert Tortoises
Desert tortoises are strictly herbivores, meaning their diet consists solely of plants. A proper diet is essential for their health and longevity. They require a high-fiber, moderate-protein, low-fat, and calcium-rich diet. The majority of their diet, approximately 85%, should consist of grasses, weeds, and dark, leafy greens, while the remaining 15% can be hard vegetables.
Recommended Foods
- Grasses and Weeds: These should form the foundation of the diet. Examples include:
- Alfalfa hay
- Bermuda grass
- Fresh clover
- Clover hay
- Mallow
- Opuntia cactus pads (prickly pears) and flowers
- Rye grass
- Rice grass
- Sowthistle
- Leafy Greens: Dark, leafy greens provide essential nutrients and fiber.
Foods to Avoid
- Vegetables: It is recommended to avoid vegetables in the diet of desert tortoises.
- Spinach: While it contains nutrients, spinach also contains oxalic acid, which binds calcium and makes it unavailable to the tortoise's system.
- Broccoli, Kale, Collards, and Mustard Greens: These vegetables, belonging to the cabbage family, have valuable nutrients but can depress the thyroid if consumed in excess. They contain goitrogens, which impair thyroid function.
- Cat Food and Dog Food: These are not suitable for tortoises and should be strictly avoided.
- Sweet Fruits and Corn: These are high in sugar and should not be included in the diet.
- Frozen Vegetables: Especially for young tortoises, frozen vegetables should be avoided. Some nutrients are lost during freezing, and the texture of some vegetables, like carrots and broccoli, becomes rubbery. Corn is also not healthful due to its sugar content.
The Role of Tortoise Food
Nutritious tortoise food made specifically for desert tortoises is an excellent option. Grassland Tortoise Food provides all the necessary nutrients and fiber, addressing common deficiencies in Vitamin A, Calcium, Protein, and Fiber. It is formulated to provide these nutrients without excessive sodium or an imbalanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Grassland is a complete tortoise food, eliminating the need for additional vitamins, minerals, or vegetables.
To prepare Tortoise Food, soften it with water for 2-3 minutes using a ratio of approximately 1 part Tortoise Food to 1.5 parts water. Some tortoises may need time and coaxing to accept new food. Gradually reduce that food until you serve only Tortoise Food.
Read also: Feeding Desert Iguanas
Sodium Intake
Most fresh vegetables contain only 1 to 10 milligrams of sodium per 100 grams of food. Canned vegetables, on the other hand, average 236 mg per 100 grams. Sodium is also added to some frozen foods. It's essential to be mindful of sodium levels in the tortoise's diet.
Calcium Supplementation
As replicating a desert tortoise's natural diet in captivity can be challenging, supplementing their food with calcium is often necessary. This can be done by sprinkling a calcium carbonate powder on moistened food daily.
Water and Hydration
While desert tortoises obtain most of their water from their food, it's essential to provide fresh water. Water should always be offered in a dish large enough for soaking and filled shallow enough so it will not drown. It's preferable to not have water available at all times for this species. Instead of providing a water bowl we recommend soaking the tortoise in shallow warm water for 15-30 minutes 1-2 times weekly. Desert tortoises also dig depressions in the earth to catch rainwater.
Feeding Frequency and Quantity
The amount of food a desert tortoise needs varies depending on its size, age, and activity level. As a general guideline, provide enough food that the tortoise can consume in about 15-30 minutes. Young, growing tortoises will need more food than adults.
Seasonal Changes in Appetite
In late October, as the days become cooler, desert tortoises will naturally eat less, bask less, and appear sluggish. This is a normal part of their behavior as they prepare for hibernation.
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Hibernation
In captivity you're taking a chance allowing your animals to hibernate in the back yard. A combination of wet and cold will kill a digging or burrowing chelonian, even though our California winters are temperate by the nation's standards. A cardboard box deep enough that the tortoise cannot climb out lined with newspaper is fine for hibernation. This can be put in a cool, dry place kept between 39F and 50F. The tortoise should be checked on periodically; it will move when touched if sleeping. In the spring when the days are warmer, the tortoise will become active in its box. A warm soak should be given at this time. Do not hibernate your tortoise if you suspect it is at all ill or injured, as this will exacerbate its symptoms. Bring your tortoise indoors and keep it at a warm temperature (75F-85F) to keep it active.
Additional Tips for a Healthy Desert Tortoise
- Provide a natural environment: Whenever possible, house desert tortoises outdoors in an enclosure that mimics their natural habitat.
- Ensure adequate space: Each side of the enclosure should be at minimum 6 times the length of the tortoise to allow for plenty of room to browse and exercise.
- Offer UVB lighting: UVB is essential for tortoises to synthesize Vitamin D, crucial to calcium metabolization. The best source of UVB is the sun; allowing the tortoise to be outdoors for 30 minutes or more a day is ideal.
- Maintain proper temperature: If housed indoors, the daytime temperature of the enclosure should be between 70F and 90F. One corner should have a 100W heat lamp positioned for basking at 95F. At night the temperature should drop to 70F-75F.
- Avoid pesticides and herbicides: Ensure that the tortoise's forage is free of pesticides and herbicides.
- Monitor for health problems: Be vigilant for any signs of illness, such as runny nose, labored breathing, or loss of appetite. Consult a veterinarian experienced in reptile care if you notice any concerning symptoms.
Read also: Feeding Aldabra Tortoises