That pretty cool Rodney.
But why separate them?
Turtles gonna do what turtles gonna do!
Just fatten up the babies for a year or so, them release into the wild somewhere.

Or build up a food store for the pending Zombie Apocalypse.

Think about it.

Long shelf life, basically free to maintain, easy to catch, come in their own bowl.

i was told never to release captive turtles into the wild because it spreads some disease to the wild population not ready for the disease. here, it is illegal.

Are we now talking about tortoises or turtles?

[QUOTE=on2wheels52;10965501]I'm expecting a new crop on my place.

Your male turtle seems more experienced than this guy....

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They love those freeze-dried shrimp!

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Sorry guys I was not trying to hijack the thread with my tortoises.

To answer some questions...

They are supposed to have a clutch of eggs, like 8 - 12. I only found one baby so either something got the others or she only laid one egg? The person we got the turtles from has had them for years and says he can never find the eggs/nest. He only finds the hatch-lings.

The reason we need to keep them separated is that it is my understanding that you are not supposed to breed them in Arizona. There is actually a state ran organization that has many rescue tortoises and is actively trying to adopt them out, they do not want an over population. It is not easy to adopt them as you can't have a pool, a dog, must have so many square feet, etc. So, they are very picky about giving them out.

The reason you can't release them in the wild, and I think this is against the law as well. Is that a large percentage of the desert tortoises have some type of respiratory issue and the wild ones do not. They don't want you to release them and spread that disease to the wild tortoises. Also, if you find one walking around the this city limits it is considered a lost pet and you are allowed to pick it up and keep it. If you see one out in the desert it is 100% against the law to take it.

And yes, the big guy, really knows how to get it on. And it is a scene. He was mounting the female always right on the patio, right in front to the sliding glass door for all to see. My wife thinks he is an abuser. Taking advantage of her, etc. He will follow her around bobbing his head up and down at her, non stop. He is a machine. My little girl thinks he is just bullying her and being mean.

That is awesome. There isn't really any treats I can give my tortoises except for .... CORN ON THE COB! They love it, of course it goes rolling around the yard with every bit they take. They end up with corn all over their faces.