Creating A Comfortable Den For Your Desert Turtle

Desert tortoises are fascinating creatures that spend most of their lives in burrows, rock shelters, and pallets to regulate body temperature and reduce water loss. These burrows are typically constructed with concrete blocks, with a plywood covering and a layer of dirt for insulation. The process of creating a den for these tortoises involves levelling the site, arranging the blocks, and ensuring proper insulation and protection from water runoff. It is important to note that these tortoises are highly sensitive to disturbances and require specific care practices, including a herbivorous diet and minimal handling.

Burrow orientation

When designing the burrow, it is essential to consider the tortoise's natural habitat and behaviour. Desert tortoises are fossorial, meaning they are adapted to digging and living primarily underground. They spend most of their time in burrows, rock shelters, or pallets to regulate body temperature and conserve water. The burrow should be oriented in a way that provides adequate insulation and protection from the elements.

The burrow should be positioned at least 5 feet away from walls, sidewalks, and plants on all sides. This distance ensures that the tortoise has sufficient space to extend its channel without encountering any obstacles or digging into undesirable areas. Additionally, the burrow should be located in a completely dry area, at least 10 feet by 10 feet in size.

The depth and angle of the burrow are also important considerations. Desert tortoise burrows typically extend down about 3 to 4 feet from ground level, usually at a 45-degree angle. The burrow should be deep enough to provide adequate protection from predators and the elements, while also allowing for proper ventilation and airflow.

The orientation of the burrow should also take into account the tortoise's natural behaviour and habits. For example, during winter, tortoises brumate, a form of reptilian hibernation, in their burrows. The burrow should be oriented in a way that provides protection from cold temperatures and rain during this period. Additionally, the tortoise may extend its channel, so the burrow should be oriented to prevent it from digging into neighbouring properties or unwanted areas.

Burrow construction

The first step in constructing a desert turtle's burrow is to identify a suitable location that meets the specific requirements of the species. The burrow should be located in an area that provides both shade and full sun, with a completely dry environment. It is important to ensure that the burrow is at least 5 feet away from any walls, sidewalks, and plants on all sides. Additionally, the orientation of the burrow opening is crucial. It should face south, southeast, or southwest to avoid the hot summer sun and prevent overheating.

When planning the dimensions of the burrow, it is recommended to follow the guidelines provided by tortoise conservation organizations. The recommended area for a desert tortoise is approximately 600 square feet, and the burrow should extend down about 3 to 4 feet, typically at a 45-degree angle. It is important to ensure that the burrow provides adequate space for the tortoise to move around and thermoregulate effectively.

The construction materials and techniques may vary depending on the specific needs and preferences. One common method is to use concrete blocks to build the burrow structure. This involves levelling the den site and using 6 concrete blocks (CMU 8"x 8"x16") to lay out the burrow. For larger tortoises, an extra course of 4-inch thick blocks can be added to provide more headroom. A piece of 3/4" outdoor or treated plywood (40" long x 32" wide) should be placed over the blocks, extending to their outer edges.

To provide insulation and protection, the den should be covered with a layer of 6-8" of dirt. Placing large rocks along the outside edge of the blocks can help prevent erosion and provide additional support. It is also important to create a small berm at the entrance to direct any runoff water away from the burrow, ensuring it remains dry.

In addition to the primary burrow, it is recommended to construct a separate winter den and summer burrow. The winter den should have a southern exposure, while the summer burrow should have an eastern, northern, or northeastern exposure for optimal temperature regulation.

It is important to note that the construction techniques mentioned above are just one example, and there are other methods and materials that can be used to build a tortoise burrow. Some tortoises may prefer to dig their own burrows, and it is crucial to provide them with an area that allows for this natural behaviour.

By following these guidelines and recommendations, you can create a comfortable and safe burrow for a desert turtle, providing them with the necessary shelter, temperature control, and protection from predators.

Plants and diet

Desert tortoises are herbivores, and their diet should consist of mostly native grasses, leafy plants, and flowers. They are known to eat dandelions, grass, chickweed, common mallow, mulberry tree leaves, grape leaves, and common cheese mallow, among others. They also require a high calcium intake, which can be provided by sprinkling calcium carbonate on their food.

It is important to ensure that the plants in the tortoise's habitat are safe for them to consume. Avoid toxic landscape plants such as oleander, chinaberry trees, desert and tree tobacco, and toadstools. Also, do not feed the tortoise lettuce of any kind, as it is poor in nutrition. In addition, cactus fruits should only be fed in small amounts and only when they are in season.

If you are limited in growing foods, you can supplement the tortoise's diet with occasional foods such as endive, escarole, zucchini, chopped carrots, and small amounts of kale. It is also important to ensure that all foods are fertilizer-free and pesticide-free.

A shallow dish of water for drinking and soaking should be provided and kept clean. In addition, tortoises should be soaked in warm water once a week to help maintain hydration.

If you are housing your tortoise indoors, it is recommended to provide a planted soil substrate with a dry surface. Grass hay can be used, but it should be removed when wet or spoiled. Sterile potting soil can also be used and changed every six weeks.

It is important to note that the diet of a desert tortoise should consist of mostly natural foods, and commercial tortoise food products from pet stores are not a good choice for the majority of their diet.

Water sources

Water is essential for desert turtles, as it is for all living creatures. It aids in bodily functions, helps maintain overall health and well-being, and plays a crucial role in metabolic processes and digestion. Here are some detailed instructions for providing water sources in a desert turtle's den:

• Provide a Water Dish: It is important to have a dedicated water source for your desert turtle. Build a covered water dish to protect it from dirt and debris. Ensure the dish is shallow to prevent drowning and large enough for the turtle to crawl into and soak.
• Frequency of Water Changes: It is essential to provide clean water for your turtle regularly. Change a portion of the water every few days and replace all the water at least once every two weeks. The frequency will depend on the size of the tank and the effectiveness of your filtration system.
• Water Quality: The quality of water is crucial for the turtle's health. Poor water quality can lead to respiratory and skin infections, digestive problems, and a weakened immune system. Use a water conditioner to neutralize chlorine, ammonia, and nitrates, and to adjust the pH to a suitable level.
• Water Temperature: Desert turtles require the right water temperature to stay healthy. Install a water heater to maintain the water temperature between 78° and 82° F for baby turtles. Adjust the heater's wattage according to the size of your tank.
• Water Depth: Ensure the water depth in the tank is adequate for your turtle to swim freely. For baby turtles, the water should be at least one inch deeper than the width of their shell. As they grow, you can provide deeper water.
• Filtration System: Use a reliable filtration system to remove impurities and toxins from the water. Canister filters are recommended for turtle tanks as they provide excellent filtration and often use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and algae.
• Aeration: Keep the water well-oxygenated by using an air pump or air stone. This will inhibit the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which can endanger the turtle's health and make the tank dirty.
• Natural Water Sources: If your turtle has access to natural water sources, ensure they are safe and free from chemicals or pollutants. Do not place the turtle's den near areas treated with insecticides, pesticides, paint, or paint thinners, as these can be toxic to turtles.
• Moisture from Food: Turtles also obtain moisture from the food they consume. Provide a diet rich in vegetation, insects, and other prey items that contain water, which the turtle can absorb during digestion.
• Water Conservation: Turtles have evolved efficient methods to conserve water. They have specialized kidneys that concentrate urine, reducing water loss. Ensure your turtle has access to fresh food sources to support their water conservation mechanisms.

Remember, water plays a vital role in maintaining the health and vitality of desert turtles, so it is important to provide a constant source of clean, suitable water to ensure their physical health and mental well-being.

Hibernation

Before preparing a hibernation den for your turtle, it is important to establish whether your turtle species hibernates and if it is healthy enough to do so. Hibernation is not recommended for sick turtles as their immune system slows during this period, making them unable to fight off infections. It is also important to note that not all tortoise species can or do hibernate.

If your turtle is healthy and does hibernate, there are several steps you can take to prepare it for hibernation. Firstly, ensure it has built up fat and water reserves by providing it with adequate food and water. You should also take your turtle for a health check with a qualified veterinarian to ensure it is fit to hibernate. This check should be done annually, between late August and mid-September.

As the weather gets cooler, your turtle will naturally start to become less active and eat less. At this point, you should stop feeding your turtle any supplemental produce. It is important to continue providing water, and soaking your turtle once a week in a shallow container to help it build up water reserves and stimulate it to empty its bladder and bowels before hibernation.

As the temperatures continue to drop, your turtle will seek out a shelter to hibernate in. You can provide an artificial burrow to insulate your turtle from the cold and protect it from getting wet. This can be constructed using materials such as concrete blocks, plywood, or a metal trash can. The structure should be covered with at least 8-12 inches of soil for insulation. You can also add hay or straw to the burrow for extra insulation.

The ideal temperature for hibernation is around 40°F (4.5°C), but it can range between 35-45°F (1.5-7°C). It is important to monitor the ground temperatures to ensure they do not exceed 60°F or drop below 39°F, as these temperatures can be dangerous for your turtle.

During hibernation, you should check on your turtle at least once a month to ensure it is hibernating well. You should only bring your turtle out of hibernation if it shows signs of illness, attempts to bask on cold days, or remains active within its burrow. If you do need to wake your turtle, do so slowly and gradually increase the temperature.

Overall, providing a safe and insulated hibernation den, and regularly monitoring your turtle's health and environment, will help ensure a successful hibernation period.

Frequently asked questions