Wildlife

Tortoise Adoption Program

Adopting and caring for desert tortoises

Each year the Arizona Game and Fish Department adopts out captive desert tortoises that cannot be released back into the wild because captive tortoises can transmit diseases that can decimate our wild population. They are nontraditional pets, but are fascinating animals and families can gain an appreciation of desert wildlife by caring for a tortoise and watching its natural behavior.

Under state law, desert tortoises are available for adoption for Arizona residents only.

Before adopting, it is strongly recommended that you to educate yourself about desert tortoises, desert ecology and what’s required to properly care for one. Adopters should also consider that healthy tortoises can live upwards of 80-100 years and should have a long-term plan in place in either, a will or other succession plan as the tortoise may outlive its owners.

Tortoises are typically only adopted from April 1 to Sept. 30 because they hibernate during the cooler months.

How to adopt

• Educate yourself
  • Captive desert tortoise cold weather care
  • Proper desert tortoise diet
  • Desert tortoise health and illnesses
  • Constructing a desert tortoise shelter (how to build a tortoise burrow)
• Review the Desert Tortoise Adoption Guide
  • New! Desert Tortoise Adoption Guide – Spanish version
• Build a burrow and tortoise enclosure video
• Fill out the application
  • New!  Online Application (preferred method)
  • Paper application: Desert Tortoise Adoption Application. E-mail the completed application and photos of the tortoise’s constructed habitat and burrow to: TAP@azgfd.gov or mail to Tortoise Adoption Program, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
• Questions? Contact the Desert Tortoise Adoption Hotline 844 896-5730.

Video: How to build a tortoise burrow

Per Arizona Game and Fish Commission Order 43, “possession limit is one desert tortoise per person per household.”
Adopted tortoises may be permanently marked so if it becomes lost and then found it can be identified by various animal care agencies or veterinarians. Note: the Tortoise Adoption Program does not microchip tortoises.

Information for Desert Tortoise Adoption

Your adopted tortoise will require a shelter and enclosure constructed specifically to ensure it doesn’t escape. Pools, ponds and other bodies of water must also be gated to prevent the tortoise from entering, as they cannot swim. The enclosure’s primary barrier should have a portion buried at least 6-8 inches to help discourage digging. The total height above ground should be at least 2′ for an adult tortoise and should include a solid visual section for the first 10″ from the ground up. This will help prevent the tortoise from rubbing its face and discourage escape. Similar adjustments should be made for a juvenile or hatchling enclosure. Additionally, the enclosure must be built to keep a dog from getting to the tortoise.

Enclosures must meet the following minimum size requirements for the size of the tortoise:

Adult tortoise – 18′ x 18′ or 324 square feet
Juvenile tortoise – 8′ x 8′ or 64 square feet
Hatchling tortoise – 4′ x 4′ or 16 square feet; must include a predator proof top

Burrow/shelter guidelines

Remember that breeding of these captive tortoises is illegal and doing so leads to a surplus of tortoises needing homes.

State-sanctioned Adoption Facilities

Tucson Area: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 520 883-3062; www.desertmuseum.org/programs/tap.html
Statewide toll-free 844 896-5730, TAP@azgfd.gov