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Huge 100-pound African tortoise found roaming Arizona desert
The tortoise had been living in the Arizona wild long enough to establish two burrows and was likely released there when it grew too large to contain.
Tue, Dec 21 2010 at 5:28 AM
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AFRICAN SPURRED TORTOISE: These behemoth reptiles are the largest species of mainland tortoise in the world. (Photo: turtlemom4bacon/Flickr)
Tortoises native to the Arizona desert rarely grow in excess of about 15 pounds, so officials with the Arizona Game and Fish Department were quite surprised when they recently came across a huge 100-pound tortoise living comfortably in the Sonoran Desert.
Probably kept as an exotic pet and released into the Arizona wild by its careless handler, the behemoth reptile was an African spurred tortoise, according to Wildlife Extra News.
"Finding an exotic tortoise this size inhabiting the Sonoran Desert is a reminder of how important it is not to release any exotic species into the wild," said Cristina Jones of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Because they are native to the southern edge of the Sahara desert, these giant tortoises are right at home in the similar environment of the Arizona desert. But like many invasive species, their introduction can pose a serious threat to native species.
"Due to their immense size, while defending its territory, an African spurred tortoise could easily injure a native desert tortoise," said Jones.
The African spurred tortoise can grow to 150 pounds, which makes it the largest mainland tortoise species in the world. By comparison, Arizona's principal native species only grows to about 15 pounds — the native species wouldn't stand a chance in a battle over territory. The African tortoise also can radically alter the landscape. This tortoise had already established itself long enough to build two burrows, including one that was 9 feet deep.
"When people purchase these tortoises, they are about the size of a silver dollar, yet they can grow to more than 150 pounds," Jones said. "These exotic tortoises are long-lived and because of their propensity to dig long, deep burrows, they can be extremely difficult to contain."
Finding just one African spurred tortoise in the Arizona wild might be strange enough, but this was the second one found this year. Officials urge that pet owners understand what they are getting themselves into when they purchase an exotic pet, and to always avoid releasing any exotic animal into a non-native habitat.
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We found an African Tortoise in the street and have tried to find its owner. No luck. He's a great little guy- maybe 18" across but we really arent around alot and would love to find a home. We live in Redlands, ca. Anyone interested? 909 583 3391
We found an african tortoise behind our fence today. We are checking with neighbors to see if it belongs to them.
I LIKE TURTLES
they are not good for turtle soup, for they are tortoises. so shoosh it. :p
Yes indeedy!! Them are some big arse TURTLES!!
DAMN spell-check. GOPHER TURTLES!
I like turtles too, but I have never eaten one this big before,
must be why we see so many buffalo, wolves, and bears running around EVERYWHERE before the europeans settled here. People turn this into an "immigration" problem for animals/insects, maybe we should enclose every major city in series of domes, to keep all the "non-native" species out
Technically speaking there never were buffalo in in the United States. Only Bison. And there are lots of Bison in South Dakota and Washington/Oregon. Just sayin...
Right. They are there because the invasive species (people) brought them back from the brink of extinction.
I have 3 Spur Thighs and knew what i was getting into when i got them. Bitsy is 1lb , Bernie is 20lbs and Brutus is 55lbs...they all have the cutest personalities !
"Finding an exotic tortoise this size inhabiting the Sonoran Desert is a reminder of how important it is not to release any exotic species into the wild."
Just the opposite: it's a reminder how if you release any exotic species, you get cool things like gigantic turtles, walking catfish, and Northern snakeheads wandering about. Life is that much more interesting.
Ok, brainchild, what part about invasive species don't you understand? Non-native invasions are never good for the local inhabitants. Just ask the Native Americans.
The Great Spirit?
;)
And dressing up like Zombie boy!
Reading between the lines, it sounds like the future of this tortoise may be something other than the Arizona desert? Do we know his fate?
Yes, the question is what is going to be happening to him/her(?) and where is the other one found? They may have been roommates at the same place and released together. Do they have enough food where they are?
Hopefully they let him be.
Turtle soup, dude!