My little Desert Tortoise!

by Linda Eutsey
(Mesa, Arizona USA)

I have had my baby desert tortoise since the beginning of November, 2013. The baby was found in the ally that runs next to and behind the Storage Facility in which I Manage/live for just shy of 8 years. I was told the baby wasn't much older than 1-2 months at that time. Since I won't know if the baby is a he or she for a few good years, I do refer to "Torie the Tortoise" as a "he" for now! Torie could be a male or female's name, so that is why I decided on it, plus with him being a "Tor"toise! HaHa...

I have made him an awesome enclosure inside, and since day one likes to sleep in my hand. I hold him as you would hold an ice cream cone, his cute little face exposed out, my fingers wrap around his shell. I used to be able to get my fingers all the way around him, now that he is growing, no chance! He is so relaxed just sleeping there, I will kiss his little face every couple of seconds and he just keeps his eyes closed and waits for the next kiss. When I stop kissing him, he will gently (with his eyes still closed) reach his head out towards me to kiss him again! It is the sweetest thing I have ever seen!

I wish I could get this on video for the world to see, but with me holding him in one hand, I cannot position even my phone to record his little face, eyes closed, reaching towards my face to be kissed again! It melts everyone's hearts that has seen him do this with me in person, and I get so many comments about how strange it is that he responds to me so well. I have quite a few tenants that just until these past few months, I have found out have had their own tortoises for years, are completely impressed how responsive and comfortable the little one is with me! That makes me smile everyday!