Can you keep a Texas tortoise as a pet?

While the Texas tortoise is considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, this species is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and is listed as a threatened species in the State of Texas. What is this? As such, keeping and collecting specimens of the species is illegal and punishable by law.

Can you find tortoises in Texas?

OF THE FOUR SPECIES OF TORTOISES FOUND IN NORTH AMERICA, THE TEXAS TORTOISE IS THE ONLY ONE FOUND IN TEXAS. THE TEXAS TORTOISE CAN BE FOUND THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN TEXAS AS WELL AS NORTHEASTERN MEXICO. HAS A VERY LIMITED HOME RANGE, SMALLER THAN A CITY BLOCK.

What kind of habitat does a tortoise need?

Tortoises live on land. They need a terrarium of at least 40 gallons. Like turtles, tortoises also need 12 hours of “daylight” but should not be kept in the direct sun. A UVA/UVB bulb will simulate the light they need for their bones and shells.

Can I keep a tortoise I found in my backyard?

Try to pick a species that will not only be size appropriate, but also one that will be able to survive outdoors where you live. Baby tortoises should never be housed outdoors. Instead, they should be reared indoors under controlled conditions until they are certainly large enough to fend for themselves outside.

How long does a Texas tortoise live?

They feed heavily on the fruit of the common prickly pear and on other mostly succulent plants available to them. Although the life span is unknown, it is thought by some that breeding age is attained in about 15 years and that longevity may be as great as 60 years.

What type of tortoise live in Texas?

Gopherus berlanderi
Texas has a single species of tortoise, the Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlanderi) and a single species of terrapin, the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). All of the remaining 28 species of the order Testudines found in Texas are called “turtles,” although some like the box turtles (Terrapene spp.)

What temperature is too cold for a tortoise?

Approximately 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit
If the temperature drops too low for too long, whether or not the tortoise is in hibernation, she can freeze to death. Approximately 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit / 7 to 12 degrees Celsius can be considered cold for tortoises. Anything below is very cold and can become dangerous.