Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri)
Turtles & tortoises · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) (origin: Southern Texas, north-eastern Mexico). Adult size around 15–22 cm. Life expectancy 50–70 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Texas tortoise: How big does the enclosure need to be?
150×80 cm floor area.
Texas tortoise: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–33 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 15–20 °C.
Texas tortoise: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).
Texas tortoise: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 50–70 years.
Texas tortoise: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–33 °C
- Night temperature
- 15–20 °C
- Basking spot
- 40 °C
- Humidity
- 35–50 %
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 150×80 cm floor area
- Substrate
- Sand-loam 25–35 cm for digging, stone slabs, dry herbs
Feeding
- Food
- Grasses, herbs, cactus pads, succulents – purely plant-based
- Feeding interval
- plant food daily
Key facts
- Adult size
- 15–22 cm
- Life expectancy
- 50–70 years
- Origin
- Southern Texas, north-eastern Mexico
- Protection status
- CITES II; protected in Texas – only European captive-bred animals
- Brumation
- A cooler dry rest of 8–12 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keeping them singly is the safest approach. Males show strong site and territory fidelity and ram rivals and females while courting; keeping several animals together needs a very large enclosure with separate retreats and basking spots for each animal.
Notes
The smallest gopher tortoise. It digs shallow shelter tunnels – the substrate has to be correspondingly deep. The males fight fiercely and injure each other; keeping them singly is the normal case.
Do you keep this species?
Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →
Look for Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) in the marketplace →
Related species
- Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) – Expert
- Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) – Expert
- Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) – Expert
- Asian forest tortoise (Manouria emys) – Intermediate to expert
- Burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) – Intermediate
- Forsten's tortoise (Indotestudo forstenii) – Expert
- Chaco tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis) – Intermediate
- Elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80 cm floor area), substrate (Sand-loam 25–35 cm for digging, stone slabs, dry herbs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_tortoise, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Gopherus&species=berlandieri
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).