Turtle Center

The Turtle Center - Texas 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.

Because our creek is full of native wildlife, including four different turtles: softshells, Texas cooters, Red-eared sliders, and common snappers, we have opted to avoid taking in aquatic turtles. We allow ourselves to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, so please ask us about your specific needs.

We overwinter non-hibernating tortoises in an insulated, heated garage, 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 Smogurs for the hibernation fridge!)

We offer educational tours and lectures to groups, clubs, schools, families, and individuals. Please see Education for more details.

We have a variety of species. Currently we hold Manouria emys emys, Agrionemys horsfieldii, Geochelone pardalis, Geochelone chilensis, Geochelone carbonaria, Geochelone sulcata, Geochelone elegans, Pxyis, and Terrapene ssps. This list is subject to change, as we welcome all land turtles and tortoises that require for whatever reason a new home. We sometimes keep animals here for use in our education programs, and we share the wealth by rehoming selected healthy tortoises and turtles so that others may enjoy the wonders of chelonia.

One of our greatest wishes for Turtle Center - Texas would be the addition of a dedicated winter house and/or greenhouse.