How to Take Care of Baby Desert Tortoises

Taking care of any baby creature is always a challenge because the babies are always more fragile and prone to sickness than adults. In the case of baby desert tortoises, the appropriate environmental conditions for the turtle and the proper nutrition are important to keeping the turtle healthy and allowing it to survive to adulthood.

Things You'll Need

  • Calcium
  • Vitamin D3
  • Green leafy vegetables
  • Desert plants
  • Grass
  • Rocky sand and soil
  • Reptile lighting system
  • Large tortoise table for inside
  • Pen with wire top for outside
  • Shallow dish
  • Water
  • Shelter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide plenty of calcium and vitamin D3 for the turtle. According to Tortoise Trust, baby tortoises of any species require calcium because they grow quickly. Tortoise Trust suggests breaking up human calcium supplements or obtaining reptile-specific calcium powder that is free of phosphorous for baby tortoises. Administer the nutrients according to the package instructions.

    • 2

      Set up indoor housing. Obtain a large tortoise table or similar penned-in area with an open top and set up the reptile lighting system with it. According to the Desert View Animal Hospital, the daytime temperature of the baby tortoise habitat should be between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and the nighttime temperature should be in the 70s. Fill the tank with dry and desert-like conditions such as rocky sand over soft and dry soil. Provide shade, an area for hiding and a shallow dish of water. Always provide a shallow dish so the tortoise can get out of the water.

    • 3

      Set up outdoor housing. Outdoor housing is not necessary, but Tortoise Trust suggests allowing the baby tortoise outdoor time to absorb UVB rays. Set up a pen with a wire mesh or similar top outside. The wire mesh prevents birds from attacking the tortoise. Never use glass outside as it can get too hot. Place soft dry soil and rocky sand over the area and provide a few different hiding spaces and shady areas. Leave plenty of space available for the tortoise to sun as well. Place a shallow water dish in the area. Remove any potentially harmful plants from the pen. The California Turtle and Tortoise Club has a list of plants that are poisonous for tortoises (see Resources).

    • 4

      Feed the tortoise. Desert tortoises are herbivores and do not eat meat. Feed it green leafy vegetables such as kale, mustard greens or collard greens. Provide foraging in the form of grass and desert plants and flowers. Give it mixed vegetables like carrots, along with other vegetables. Avoid high-protein foods like meat, beans and peas, which are bad for the herbivorous species. Fruits like melon or strawberry are fine for occasional treats. Desert View Animal Hospital suggests giving foods on a clean and shallow plate or dish to prevent the tortoise from eating sand and gravel.