As Texas tortoises are considered protected species, taking one from its natural environment is illegal. If one does come into your possession however, and you decide to care for it properly – including providing large enclosures with ample ventilation, providing fresh food such as vegetables and de-thorned cacti diet and providing access to fresh water at all times – then proper protocols must be observed for its care.
Orchard Grass Hay
Grass hay is an ideal food choice for tortoises kept as pets in captivity, and often provides the best results in terms of nutrition. Horses readily accept its soft texture, high in fiber content and harvest date: early to mid spring harvest time when adding an additional layer of topsoil into soil layers.
Texas tortoises are herbivorous creatures found throughout their wild environment, feeding on grasses, forbs, succulents and cacti. Although hardy creatures by nature, Texas tortoises remain endangered in nature and protected by law.
Multiple organizations and zoos work diligently to safeguard these remarkable animals. To aid their recovery from endangered status, it is vital that their natural habitats remain preserved; additionally, these creatures require appropriate nutrition and medical treatment in order to live longer lives.
Cactus and Succulents
The Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) stands out among North American tortoises by being native to Texas alone and protected by the Endangered Species Act; therefore it can only be kept with an official permit from state wildlife agencies.
Tortoises are omnivorous animals, feeding on grasses and weeds as well as succulent plants such as prickly pear cacti. Additionally, they enjoy red flowers, fruit and pads in addition to dandelions, hibiscus flowers/leaves/nasturtium plants/wandering jew vines, grape leaves/flowers/zucchini leaves/banana squash and yellow crookneck herbs among many others.
As with all reptiles, proper diet and regular vet checkups are critical to tortoises’ wellbeing. Without an appropriate diet tortoises can develop anemia, metabolic bone disease and respiratory infections; frequent vet visits will help identify problems before they worsen further. A full spectrum basking bulb or mercury vapor light should be provided as they require UVB light for vitamin D3 production.
Fruits
The Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) is one of the most unique reptiles found in America. Living primarily as an herbivore in its natural environment, this reptile feeds on grasses, weeds, flowers, succulent plants and cacti – rarely including fruits in its diet due to their high sugar content.
Its distinct oval-shaped shell of yellowish-tan to reddish-brown differentiates it from other tortoises. Active year-round except during periods of high heat waves in summer months, this tortoise digs burrows to shelter itself from extreme temperatures.
Female turtles lay their eggs a few weeks after mating, usually between June and July. These usually hatch within 88 to 118 days. Property owners should provide suitable nesting areas for females and monitor temperature and humidity levels to ensure successful incubation of eggs. Tortoises do not swim, unlike turtles; instead they go into water only for drinking, bathing, and hiding from predators.
