Turtles and tortoises are fascinating creatures, and ensuring their safety in an enclosure is crucial for their well-being. Today we'll explore the predators that pose threats to these animals in their natural habitats and how to tackle those challenges when creating a secure outdoor enclosure, based on our experience here at the American Tortoise Rescue sanctuary in Malibu, California.

Natural Predators in Nature
In the wild, turtles and tortoises face numerous predators that threaten their survival. Here’s a look at some of their natural adversaries:

• Raccoons: Known for their dexterous paws and curiosity, raccoons can open enclosures and harm turtles or tortoises.
• Foxes: Agile and cunning, foxes can breach poorly secured enclosures.
• Birds of Prey: Hawks and eagles can swoop down and snatch smaller turtles and tortoises.
• Opossums: While less aggressive, opossums can still pose a threat to hatchlings.
• Other Turtles: Some turtles may exhibit aggressive behavior, especially in confined spaces.
• Bobcats and Other Felines: These stealthy predators can find and attack turtles, especially in less fortified enclosures.
• Coyotes: Coyotes are versatile hunters and pose a significant threat to many wildlife species, including turtles.
• Fish: Certain fish species prey on smaller turtles in aquatic environments.
• Humans: Sadly, human interference—whether through intentional harm or neglect—can be a serious issue.

​We’ve experienced firsthand how these threats impact turtles in sanctuary settings. Many years ago, we added a beautiful pond for our water turtles here in Malibu, surrounded by 5- to 6-foot fencing. One morning, I walked in to find seven or eight water turtles dead or dying around the pond—raccoons had climbed the fence and killed them. It was heartbreaking. We immediately installed a specialized fence around the turtles with top and bottom coverage, and I’m relieved to say we haven’t had an incident in over 30 years.

Coyotes are also common here in Malibu. While they roam our property, they rarely target turtles, as there are plenty of small animals for them to hunt. However, vigilance is key.
Even squirrels, while not predators, can indirectly cause harm by digging tunnels that small turtles crawl into and get trapped. I’ve lost turtles this way, which is why I’ve taken steps to keep squirrels from entering the sanctuary. If you see any burrows, it’s best to fill them with rocks to prevent future accidents.

Human Interference
Human interference is one of the greatest threats to turtles and tortoises. Beyond habitat destruction and pollution, issues like theft and illegal wildlife trade are always on our radar. In fact, theft is a major concern at sanctuaries like ours, which is why we’ve installed electric fencing and restricted visitor access. With small turtles at risk of being pocketed or taken, it’s essential to protect them from both natural and human threats.

Potential Predators for Your Outdoor Enclosure
When setting up an outdoor enclosure, it’s important to consider the predators that might pose a risk:

• Local Wildlife: Depending on your location, this could include raccoons, skunks, or even stray pets.
• Domestic Pets: Dogs, in particular, can be dangerous. They kill turtles regularly, so always keep them separated from your turtles.
• Environmental Conditions: Extreme weather and environmental changes can also affect the safety of your enclosure.

Higher Risk of Predators Due to Scale of the Sanctuary
Larger sanctuaries often face heightened challenges due to their size. More space means more potential vulnerabilities, requiring greater resources and advanced security measures to ensure the safety of the turtles and tortoises. At American Tortoise Rescue, we’ve had to adopt special protective measures to meet these challenges head-on.

Building Your Home Outdoor Enclosure
If you’re designing an outdoor enclosure for your turtles or tortoises, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Secure Fencing: Use strong, durable materials to prevent predators from breaking in.
• Buried Barriers: Extend fencing underground to deter animals that might dig their way in.
• Shelters and Hiding Spots: Provide plenty of shelters and hiding spots to help the animals feel safe.
• Monitoring and Maintenance: Regularly inspect the enclosure for any signs of wear or breaches.

​I often hear from people who think digging a burrow for their tortoise is a good idea, but please don’t! The tortoises tend to dig even further and may end up under a neighbor’s house. Our sulcatas sleep in 8x4-foot houses with solid floors for a reason—it keeps them safe and contained.

Our Protective Measures and Limitations
At our nonprofit sanctuary, we take numerous protective measures, including high-quality fencing, surveillance systems, and environmental enrichment. However, as a nonprofit, our resources are limited, and it’s a constant challenge to maintain and upgrade our facilities.

How You Can Help
Your support makes all the difference. By donating, you help us maintain and enhance the safety of our enclosures, provide essential care, and protect these remarkable creatures. Every contribution, big or small, plays a crucial role in ensuring that our turtles and tortoises live safe, healthy lives: https://tortoise.com/give​

Hello, turtle lovers! 🐢 Welcome to our first edition of "Ask Susan Anything," where I answer your burning questions about turtles and tortoises. Whether you're a seasoned turtle parent or new to this world, I've pretty much seen it ALL over the decades at American Tortoise Rescue and I'm here to help. (Got a question? Email us [email protected] or message us on IG @tortoiserescue)

Question: We have a Russian tortoise named Ivan. We’ve had him since 2008, and he’s moved with us from Texas to Alaska and Arizona. We take great care of him, but does he need a companion? Does he need to hibernate? Sometimes I feel like he would be better off at a sanctuary than in captivity at our house.

Susan says: 
You clearly love Ivan and are providing him with a wonderful life. 

1. Companionship: Russian tortoises are generally solitary creatures and don’t necessarily need a companion to be happy. If Ivan seems content and healthy, he’s likely fine on his own. However, if you notice signs of loneliness or distress, consider consulting a vet or a reptile expert to explore options.
2. Hibernation: Russian tortoises definitely need to hibernate. Later this year, when he starts to slow down, you can prepare him for hibernation. Here’s how:
3. Indoor Hibernation: Place him in a box filled with newspaper or hay in a garage or barn where animals cannot reach him. Check on him monthly without disturbing him.
4. Indoor Free Roam: Alternatively, you can let him hibernate inside your house, where he might sleep under your bed or in an unused shower. When spring arrives and he becomes more active, return him to his usual spot. 
   
   

For vitamin D, I recommend natural sunlight through windows or screens instead of heat lamps. You can also use Fluker’s reptile vitamins, sprinkling a tiny amount every few days. This ensures they get all the nutrients they need.

Good luck!

Question: Which animals make good friends for little turtles?

Susan says: Little turtles typically do not need additional companions since they have each other for company. Turtles and tortoises are generally quite independent creatures. 


Have more questions? Send us a message! Until next time, keep loving those turtles!
🐢💚 - Susan

Hello, turtle lovers!

It's Susan from American Tortoise Rescue, and the holiday season is fast approaching. With Black Friday closing in, we've curated a list of fantastic deals and heartwarming gifts for the turtle and tortoise lovers in your life. Whether you're looking to keep an eye on your outdoor shelled friends, want to keep your favorite turtle moments close, or give the perfect turtle gift, we've got something special for everyone. And the best part? Not only will you get a great deal, when you start here to shop deals on Amazon, you'll be supporting our work at the same time!

​**We'll be updating this list as new deals get published!**

Outdoor Security Systems for Your Shelled Pals
For those of us with outdoor habitats for our turtles and tortoises, security is paramount. This Black Friday, there are great Amazon deals on security systems that can link to your smartphone. These gadgets not only offer peace of mind but also ensure the safety of your shelled friends during their hibernation or while they bask in the sun.

​
Stuffed Turtle Toys: Cuddles for Everyone
Who doesn't love a soft, cuddly friend? Stuffed turtle toys are a perfect gift for both the young and the young at heart. Check out these deals on plush turtles and tortoises that make for huggable companions on cold winter nights.

​
Infant Turtle Toys: Starting the Love Early
It's never too early to introduce the little ones to the joys of turtles and tortoises. Educational toys are expected to be a big hit this Black Friday. Look for toys that are safe for infants, encourage sensory development, and are just plain cute!

A better future in sight: Save the Tortoise frames from Glasses USA!
buy a pair of glasses or shades from the "Save the Tortoise" special collection and a portion of the proceeds gets donated back to support our work! Win-win. (Yes, these are in tortoise shell design...but no tortoises were involved or harmed in the process!)

​American Tortoise Rescue Gear!
Don’t forget, shopping from our own range of merchandise is a direct way to support our rescue efforts. And we've got brand new gear just released! 

​
Before I sign off, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you who have supported American Tortoise Rescue over the years. Your purchases and donations make a real difference in the lives of these amazing animals. So, as you scour the internet for the best deals this Black Friday, remember that the greatest gift you can give is love and protection to all creatures, great and small.

Happy holidays and happy shopping!
Tortally yours, Susan Tellem

I am probably one of 10 or fewer people in the world who has uttered the words, “I wish I had more poop to show you.” 

Tank, being a sulcata poop expert, has provided a few specimens willingly. The fact is even with so many box turtles, I rarely see a poop. And of course the pond is not going to provide anything either.
Turtle and tortoise poop is usually brown to greenish brown in color. Healthy poop is solid and firm, and it may have a slightly grassy or earthy smell (factoid – I have never had the urgxe to smell it). 

Tortoises may also excrete a white substance called urates, which is a waste product of the kidneys. Urates are usually passed out with the poop, but they may also be passed out separately. You may also see the penis and reproductive organs sometimes when they strain. That’s why it is important to feed a proper died like Mazuri. 

Turtles and tortoises typically poop once or twice a day, depending on their diet and activity level. 
The appearance and frequency of turtle and tortoise poop can be a good indicator of their health. If their poop is loose or runny, it may be a sign of an infection or other health problem. If their poop is white or chalky, it may be a sign of kidney problems. If their poop is black or tarry, it may be a sign of internal bleeding. If you see any of these troublesome poops, see an exotic vet (most dog and cat vets do not have experience with turtles and tortoises). Bring a fresh poop sample with you.

If you see turtle or tortoise poop, it’s important to clean it up as soon as possible. (I know you are thinking, no duh!) If you have more than one turtle or tortoise, this can help prevent the spread of diseases. 

Here are some additional facts about turtle and tortoise poop:

1. Turtle and tortoise poop is a good source of fertilizer.
2. Turtle and tortoise poop can be used to make compost.
3. Turtle and tortoise poop can be used to track the movement of turtles and tortoises in case they escape, which they might try to do if you follow them around looking at their poop too much. LOL!
   ​

Have any questions? Email [email protected] and enjoy your turtles and tortoises!

Most of you are seeing your turtles and tortoises become less active and reducing their food intake as the weather gets cooler. All of ours do this in the sanctuary, pond and turtle hospital. Hibernation is slowing them down, as food bills get smaller. If you have turtles in a tank, even they are feeling sleepy, and should be allowed to hibernate in their tanks as well. 

If your turtles live outside all year, you need to provide a suitable place so they are safe from predators. Best to leave them outside in a safe, dry shelter if that’s where they live anyway. If you cannot provide a safe outdoor area, they can be moved to the house, in a cold room. Put them in a tall box with a lid, safe from curious pets like dogs and cats (and small kids). The garage temperature and moisture is ideal, but make sure there are no rats or other creatures that can harm your turtles or tortoises. Some like to go under the bed to snooze while others like your shower.

Turtles and tortoises from tropical climates do not hibernate, as there is no need to do so. That’s fine in their country of origin, but you need to provide additional care, food and warmth throughout the winter. Some will slow down, but best to continue their normal care and feeding. Leave them outside in heated houses (we use Kane Heat Pads for safety as heat lamps can catch fire). We add doors to the shelter for warmth. It is important to note that even turtles and tortoises that do not hibernate may need to be kept indoors during the winter months, especially in climates with very cold temperatures. If you choose to keep your turtle or tortoise indoors, be sure to provide them with a warm and humid environment. Hard to do this with a 100 pound sulcata! 

Turtles in ponds hibernate underwater as mine do. The same turtles that I have had for 25 years, still do this every fall. They even survived the fire underwater as they were hibernating when we lost our home. A turtle friend of mine in New York said her pond had five feet of rock hard ice, but when spring came, the turtles were all fine! They are truly amazing!

Some popular tortoises that do not hibernate include:

• Sulcata tortoise 
• Leopard tortoise 
• Red-footed tortoise 
• Yellow-footed tortoise 
• Radiated tortoise 
• Egyptian tortoise 
• Golden Greek tortoise 
  ​
  

If you are unsure whether or not your turtle or tortoise hibernates, it is best to consult with your local exotic veterinarian.
Thanks for reading this, and send questions to [email protected]!