Adopt a Desert Tortoise

Nearly a dozen tortoises need homes in Utah

Wouldn’t it be fun to have a pet that makes your neighbors “ooh”
and “ahh”?

As long as you’re willing to give up part of your backyard, you can.

Division of Wildlife Resources biologists are putting nearly a dozen
desert tortoises up for adoption.

Listed as threatened on the federal Endangered Species list, most of
the tortoises were found after people removed them from their native
homes. (Once a wild tortoise is taken from the wild, it can’t be
released. Releasing it could introduce diseases into Utah’s wild
tortoise population.)

Even though desert tortoises require some room, Jason Jones says caring
for one is easier than caring for other pets. “They won’t bark or
chase your neighbor’s cat,” says Jones, a DWR native aquatic species
biologist. “And five months out of the year, they’ll be in
hibernation in your house.”

To adopt a desert tortoise, you need a fenced area that’s at least 15
feet by 10 feet. “Tortoises also need burrows, so you’ll have to
build some,” Jones says. “You’ll also need to plant dandelions,
clover and other plants the tortoise can eat.”

Even though it takes work to provide a tortoise with a place to live,
Jones says it’s worth it. “Desert tortoises are fun pets,” he
says. “They’re unique too. How many people can say they have a
‘desert dinosaur’ living in their backyard?”

Jones says being allowed to care for a federally protected species is
also a rare occurrence and a privilege.

More information about adopting a desert tortoise in Utah is available
in the Desert Tortoise Adoption booklet. The free booklet is available
at www.wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/dt_adopt.pdf.

If you have questions, please call Jones at (801) 538-4830.