Are tortoises legal in Las Vegas?
Under authority of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it is legal to have a pet desert tortoise as long as you didn’t take it from the wild. All desert tortoises in Nevada, whether in captivity or not, are considered wildlife and therefore belong to the people of the State of Nevada.
What do you do if you find a desert tortoise in Las Vegas?
Quietly approach the tortoise. Note the direction the tortoise was heading. Carefully pick up the tortoise using both hands and hold it upright in its normal walking position. Carry it carefully across the road in the same direction it was heading, and take it no more than a few hundred yards into the desert.
Can you adopt a desert tortoise in Nevada?
Things you should know if you want to become a tortoise custodian. Custodians must be adults and residents of Nevada. For NEW adoptions, each household is limited to one adult tortoise. All pet desert tortoises in Nevada must be adopted through Tortoise Group’s approved federally approved adoption program.
Is it legal to own a tortoise in Nevada?
It is illegal to have a tortoise as a pet unless it was acquired prior to 1972. In Nevada, desert tortoises may be legally kept as pets if they were held in captivity prior to listing under the Endangered Species Act (August 4, 1989 (50 Code of Federal Regulations 17.4, Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 503.093).
Are sulcata tortoises illegal in Nevada?
A. No. It is against state and federal law to collect a wild desert tortoise without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).
Who do I call if I find a tortoise?
Unless you’re knowledgeable of the various species of turtles and tortoises in your area you may want to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator in order to identify the turtle and provide assistance in how and where to release it back into the wild.
What to do if you found a tortoise?
The turtle or tortoise on the side of the road is injured. So, if you do find an injured turtle or tortoise it is best to check your car for a small, dark, secure box and carefully place the animal in the box until you can call the proper animal health representative or animal official.
Where can I adopt a desert tortoise in Las Vegas?
For new adoptions, each household is limited to one desert tortoise. Tortoise Group will help you become the custodian of a desert tortoise by advising you in creating a healthy tortoise habitat and placing a needy tortoise in your home. Yard Consultations are done in areas around Las Vegas.
What kind of organization is the desert tortoise group?
Tortoise Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that educates and advocates for the protection and well-being of the desert tortoise.
Are there any tortoises in the Mojave Desert?
Under the authority of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Nevada Department of Wildlife, Tortoise Group has performed adoptions of the threatened Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in Nevada for many years. This program ensures that the conditions for a tortoise are safe and offer a healthy environment.
How many desert tortoises are there in Clark County?
Tortoise Group will try to honor rehoming requests from current Tortoise Group members. Please keep in mind there are over 150,000 pet desert tortoises in Clark County alone, over 3000 pets a year are displaced.
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