Why it’s best to leave desert tortoises to themselves in Southern Nevada

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Desert tortoises are very popular throughout Southern Nevada.

These reptiles are supposed to be out in the wild, but they are also pets to thousands of households.

This may not be the best situation for them.

FOX5 met a 17-year-old desert tortoise named Clyde at the Desert Tortoise group office.

The non-profit organization is dedicated to educating and providing recourses about desert tortoises.

However, Clyde was not feeling well.

"He came in with Bonnie, and both of them came in with upper respiratory issues," Sarah Mortimer, the executive director with the Tortoise Group said.

These infections could have been prevented, said Mortimer.

"Once they are in captivity they can be exposed to upper respiratory infections and other diseases through the reptile trade," Mortimer said.

Clyde is one of many desert tortoises that were kept in captivity, but now at a habitat.

According to Mortimer, there are over 150,000 desert tortoises as pets in Clark County.

A big contribution to that problem is backyard breeding.

"I was responsible for picking up the last five tortoises from a gentleman's backyard that had 54 or 56 tortoises in his backyard," Mortimer said.

Over at the Henderson Animal Shelter they received a group of desert tortoise hatchlings earlier this month.

"The location they were found was not their native habitat," said Danielle Harney, the Animal Control Administrator.

Harney said they can't legally adopt out or take any adoption fees because they are a native wild species in Nevada.

Since it is mating season, there could be many hatchlings out in the desert.

Harney suggests it is best to leave them alone if you see them out because once you bring them inside they are not allowed to be let out again to the wild.

"They are committing them to someone's residence as a backyard pet," Harney said.

If you do get a desert tortoise from the shelter or rescue you must register it with the Tortoise Group online so they can keep track of how many there are.

You can also get them microchipped and spayed or neutered.

If you come across a tortoise and are not sure if it is a desert tortoise or another breed it is best to just let them be.

Desert tortoises are also not allowed to cross state lines.