So my friend found a tortoise...

[AndrewM1217]

So I know this isnt a tortoise forum, but I know a good bit of you guys keep more reptiles than just the slithery ones so I figured I'd give it a shot!

While on a landscaping job, my buddy found a tortoise in someone's front yard. He said to me that it was in a neighborhood far from any desert terrain and so is most likely a runaway tortoise. He is trying to locate the original owner by posting ads and such, but for now the tortoise is being kept in his sister's back yard and cared for properly. However, it does seem to be a Sonoran Desert Tortoise which are native to my area so its possible that its a wild tortoise.

His sister can care for it adequately until its owner catches up, but thats the issue; if the owner doesn't catch up she isn't commited to keeping a tortoise. I, however, am quite interested.

At my parent's house (where I am currently living for summer), we have a Russian tortoise in a fenced-off portion of the sideyard, with the area measuring about 20ft by 15ft. I have seen people cohabitate different species of tortoise with no issues but I am still wary of it, and came here for advice. They love our current Russian tortoise and expressed an interest in the possibility of a second tortoise but requested that I research the prospect first. It's an awful lot of space for the little hamburger-sized Russian, and he also has a "cave" much too small for the larger tortoise to fit into. Basically I am asking if this is adequate space to avoid any aggressive behavior from either tortoise. I am also skeptical if this is enough space in general for a desert tortoise but I will do my homework and learn more, I just wanted to turn to this great community to share my circumstance and get some input.

Another thing that worries me is the potential parasites if it is indeed a wild tortoise, but as I mentioned, this tortoise was found miles into a neighborhood with no desert terrain in the surrouding area so that doesn't seem likely.

Any and all input is appreciated and welcome!

I am aware of the Arizona laws regarding taking a tortoise from the wild (illegal) as well as the required adoption process that is necessary to lawfully care for a rescued escapee tortoise for the long-term. The ideal scenario is that the owner finds his/her pet, but I am just trying to mentally prepare for the possibility of helping an animal

[chairman]

Russians are frequently too aggressive to live with one another, let alone another species. In addition, there's a disease that sulcata carry with no symptoms but is fatal to desert tortoises... I forget the name of the illness but it is possible that Russians could also carry something. Remember, the vast majority of Russians in captivity are wild caught animals.

If you're interested in adopting a tortoise then I'd recommend setting up a separate yard area. You can also look up local rescues, they're bound to have something available for a suitable home.

[AndrewM1217]

Thanks for the input

I was unable to find anything on this disease that sulcata tortoises carry that is fatal to desert tortoises. Do you think you could provide a link with some info?

And yes I did indeed forget that Russians are generally wild-caught. My family's little guy was sold to us about 8 years ago at the supposed age of 13, so if he's that old I'm sure he is indeed a wild-caught.

It's funny to imagine a tiny Russian being aggressive towards a large desert tortoise haha, but although the Russian could obviously cause no physical harm in sure the stressful effects of being constantly on the defensive would not be very good for him.

[chairman]

This article may cover it:http://www.google.com/url?q=http://q...4RuKC0EIWC0raA

A Russian could easily cause physical harm. Smaller tortoises can (and have) broken the shells of larger tortoises; even simple fractures can cause serious issues. In addition, a persistent tortoise could flip a larger tortoise... it happens in the middle of the day and the tortoise can't right itself, you've got a dead tortoise.

Don't get me wrong, not trying to talk you out of getting one. I have 5 tortoises and I think they're great. But, honestly, if your climate is suitable for outdoor tortoises, fences capable of containing tortoises are inexpensive to build and smaller species like leopards, redfoots, hingebacks, Russians, hermans, greeks, etc do just fine in 8'x16' spaces.

[AndrewM1217]

Thank you for the link to the article!

Thats shocking to hear that a Russian tortoise roughly a quarter the size of the larger Desert tortoise could cause physical damage to that degree.

And also, I wasn't particularly in the market for a tortoise as of yet. I was more looking to be sure that this found tortoise was able to live in a proper home and wanted to see if I qualified. My friend who found it's lease on his apartment is expiring soon and he will be moving into a house, at which point he plans on building a pen for the tortoise and reclaiming it from his sister who is currently caring for it in the absence of an owner coming forth.