WHY I LOVE ANIMALS

Meet Tejas The Texas Tortoise

It’s always one of my favorite parts of publishing PetTalk when I have the opportunity to do a photoshoot with wildlife. Not that I don’t enjoy photo sessions with dogs and cats (well, cats are another thing altogether!), but there is something truly special about the vast array of animals that roam our planet. This month, we feature Tejas the Texas Tortoise, the final animal in our 4-part series with the Houston Humane Society Wildlife Center (formerly TWRC Wildlife Center).

When Samantha Norris, the Wildlife Education Manager, picked up Tejas to introduce her to me, she immediately started peeing...and peeing some more...which drew lots of laughter. I was honored to have such a “warm” greeting LOL! However, I learned this is normal behavior. When harassed, they may empty their bladder in an attempt to ward off a potential predator.

Tejas was found wandering a Clear Lake neighborhood in 2020. This area is far outside the species' native range, leading the wildlife center to believe she was an illegally-kept pet who either escaped or was released. Due to their small home ranges (the size of one city block) and susceptibility to disease, it is illegal to release Texas tortoises into the wild. Tejas now calls the wildlife center her permanent home.

The Texas tortoise is the only native species of tortoise in Texas and is protected by state law due to its threatened status. These tortoises live in South Texas where they are well-adapted to dry scrub lands. They primarily feed on fibrous vegetation such as grasses, blooms, and various weeds, as well as the pads and fruit of the prickly pear cactus. At Houston Humane Society Wildlife Center, Tejas munches on a vibrant diet of leafy greens, fresh cactus pads, and the occasional bloom or fruit as a treat.

Texas tortoises do not reach breeding age until around 15 years old, and their reproduction rate is low relative to other reptiles. Females lay 1-2 clutches per year, averaging about 3 eggs each. One cool fact about this species is its survivability. Related fossil forms in this genus have been found to date as far back as the Pliocene (5.3 to 2.6 million years ago) in Central Texas. When we understand the longevity of an animal like a tortoise, it is imperative that humans work to ensure their continued viability.

The populations of these tortoises have and are declining rapidly due to habitat loss, poaching for the pet trade, and road fatalities. If you ever see one in South Texas, please enjoy it from a distance without touching it (it’s the law!). However, if you encounter one on the road, it is acceptable to move it out of traffic in the direction it was traveling. To learn more about the Houston Humane Society Wildlife Center, visit TWRCwildlifeCenter.org.