September 23, 2010: 
We are closed due to illness in the family. We aren't sure when we can reopen. 


So that turtles and tortoises might thrive in a balanced co-existence with humans,
The Turtle Center promotes tortoise sanctuaries and education to our community.



The Turtle Center is a nonprofit Texas corporation with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service since 2001.  Please explore our website to learn more about us, then contact us with your comments, suggestions, and questions.

We work primarily with land tortoises. 

The Turtle Center is located in the beautiful hill country outside Austin, Texas. On two acres of land, our enclosures are sturdy and made from natural, native limestone. Currently we have over 5,000 square feet with much more room for expansion as we grow. The land is seeded in native grasses and forbs and a great portion of the food supply comes from the grasses and weeds that grow near the wild creek that flows through the land.

Our creek is full of native wildlife, including four different turtles: softshells, Texas cooters, Red-eared sliders, and common snappers.

We overwinter non-hibernating tortoises in a dedicated indoor tortoise house, or in specially constructed heated, insulated winter houses that hold the animals for all but the coldest few days of winter. Our temperate climate permits us to keep even our tropical animals outdoors for most of the winter. We monitor the weather closely and bring them into the heated garages the moment it turns too cold for them to comfortably stay in their winter houses outside.

Turtles and tortoises that hibernate are either hibernated in custom-built hibernacula in their enclosures, or in a refrigerator that was generously donated for this purpose. (Thanks to the Molls for the hibernation fridge!)

We offer educational tours and lectures to groups, clubs, schools, families, and individuals. 

We have a variety of species.  We keep animals here for use in our education programs.