Desert Rose Exotic Rescue

02/11/2025

While they are readily available, many people underestimate African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata), frequently referred to as “sulcatas.” These tortoises are native to Africa, south of the Sahara desert, in the transitional grassland savanna area known as the Sahel. They are the largest extant species of tortoise from a mainland area anywhere in the world; the only larger tortoises alive today are from insular (island) habitats.

How large are we talking? This is important, because they breed easily under human care, and as babies they are little, and mighty cute. Adults can easily reach over 200 lbs. Over the first several years of their lives, they grow rapidly. That tiny baby tortoise doesn’t stay that way for long at all. Additionally, this species can easily live for more than 70 years. These reptiles are no short term commitment.

While there are many reptile species that do quite well in an apartment, sulcatas are not one of them. An unfortunate surprise for many, sulcatas are in fact adept burrowers. They may view drywall as their unmissable opportunity to role play as the iconic Kool-Aid Man. They may view that porcelain toilet in your bathroom as a temporarily annoying speed bump. They have been known to burrow under a fence far faster than you might imagine. They are also stunningly intelligent.

Sulcatas are herbivores, and their best diet should include lots of high fiber, low protein greens and grasses. That said, some of the trouble these tortoises can get into includes eating “anything.” Spaces for housing these tortoises need to be very carefully checked over to prevent them being able to escape, harm themselves, or your home. Sulcatas also require UVB lighting to properly support their health.

If you think you have what it takes to provide a good, safe home for one of these intelligent and needy tortoises, please be sure to talk with people who work with this species often, learn what they really need, and keep an eye out for tortoises near you which may have grown past being cute babies and need a new home. Definitely do a lot of research on this species before bringing home that wee baby sulcata!
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The photograph used in this post is © Hillary Chandanais, and used with permission.

02/08/2025

Thank you to the anonymous donation of supplies from Chewy

02/03/2025

Groundhogs might be terrible meteorologists but they're certainly pretty cool animals...

Groundhogs are among the few animals that are true hibernators. While hibernating, the groundhogs body temperature can drop from 99 degrees Fahrenheit to as low as 37 degrees Fahrenheit. And, their heart rate slows from 80 beats per minute to around 5.

Although they're not good weather predictors, they do emerge from their dens in February to wander around their 2-3 acre territory in hopes of finding a females burrow.

When they find a females burrow, the male will enter the den and spend the night.

However, no mating takes place during this sleepover. This 'visit' occurs as an introduction of sorts and a way to get acquainted with each other before they each emerge from their burrows for good in March when mating does take place.

And now you know. 🫣🤭

Groundhogs offer several benefits to humans and the ecosystem. They are exceptional burrowing animals and are designed for digging.

Their impressive burrows provide much needed soil aeration; the burrows created by these animals help to store carbon and aerate the soil with much-needed oxygen. We spend a great deal of time and effort to create compost, but these animals carry with them into their burrows essential fungal spores, plant matter, f***s and other organic matter deep into the earth. This natural and subterranean composting adds value to plant roots and doesn’t need human intervention to accumulate.

These burrows also provide "homes" for over 20 other species of wildlife.

Groundhogs eat a variety of unwanted vegetation including dandelion, clover, aster and goldenrod. They also eat the buds and bark of shrubs and trees and a variety of insects, including the ones that cause crop destruction.

I'm glad that groundhogs get their own special day... they deserve it! Happy Groundhogs Day!! 😊

02/01/2025

🐍 Happy Chinese New Year!

This year, we’re channeling our inner snake (or any of our scaly friends 🦎🐢). Whether you're working with critters that slither, crawl, or roar, let's celebrate the year with resilience, wisdom, and maybe a few tongue flicks for good measure.

Here’s to a year of good luck, health, and more successful tail amputations than ph***ic prolapse cases! 😉🐾

01/31/2025

Russian tortoise for adoption

01/28/2025

Desertroseexoticrescue has balls, beardeds and Russian tortoise ready, all have been vetted.
We do have other things in call 954-451-2415
Or pm tell us what you want? We may have
Several things will be coming up for adoption
Remember you for certain animals have to prove your enclosure size

01/23/2025

Thank everyone who donated in 2024
All donations are appreciated
Really helps with keeping rescue going!
Food, vets ect aren’t cheap
We do have available balls, beardeds , and Russian ready

01/23/2025

With the weather forecast suggesting extreme winter temperatures, we thought it was important to share some winter weather safety tips for your pets! By doing some of the simple suggestions below, you will be on your way to making sure your pet stays warm during the upcoming freeze!

01/19/2025

01/19/2025

As the cold air encroaches upon us, animals become vulnerable to the elements. We need to look out for our pets AND those homeless pets that may wander our way.
If you know of a homeless or outdoor cat, we still have some cat shelters available to the public...free of charge!
If you know of a stray or homeless dog OR you are concerned about an outside, owned dog AFTER HOURS, please contact your local authorities. Humane Agents are not always available to receive or respond to calls.
Please see the attached photo for more Winter Weather Tips for our four-legged friends!
Be safe and look out for each other.

01/18/2025

🥺🥺
Ten Little-Known Facts About
1. Founding Story: BMW, which stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, was founded in 1916 in Munich, Germany. The company originally built aircraft engines, later expanding into motorcycle production in the 1920s and eventually into cars in the 1930s.
2. The BMW Logo: The BMW logo, commonly known as the "roundel," features a black ring with blue and white quadrants. This design represents the company’s origins in aviation, symbolizing a spinning propeller against the sky.
3. Innovation Leader: BMW is at the forefront of automotive technology. It launched the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle, the BMW i3, in 2013, and continues to innovate with advanced driver assistance systems and hybrid technology.
4. Motorsport Excellence: BMW has a strong presence in motorsports, particularly in touring car and Formula 1 racing. The M division of BMW is known for producing high-performance variants of standard models, renowned for their engineering precision and dynamic driving experience.
5. Global Influence: BMW is a key player in the global automotive market, with a significant presence in various regions around the world.
6. Luxury and Innovation: BMW is synonymous with luxury and innovation, designing vehicles that blend cutting-edge technology with elegance and comfort.
7. Sustainability Efforts: BMW is committed to sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices in its production processes. The company is also advancing electric mobility with models like the BMW i4 and iX.
8. International Manufacturing: BMW has production facilities spread across the globe, including in Germany, the United States, and China, ensuring a broad manufacturing footprint.
9. Brand Diversity: In addition to the BMW brand, the company also owns MINI and Rolls-Royce, catering to a wide range of automotive tastes and luxury preferences.
10. Cultural Significance: BMW vehicles frequently become cultural icons, representing a blend of innovation, luxury, and high performance in the automotive world.

01/18/2025

WINTER BIRD FEST FAMILY DAY
February 2025
Fernald Preserve, Hamilton OH

Join us at Fernald Preserve this winter to learn about the wildlife that call Fernald home during February — owls, waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and more.

We’ll offer classes and speakers about the many interesting species, and hikes to explore our beautiful winter migration destination.

Highlights of the week:

🦉 Saturday, Feb. 1: Start the day with the 8 a.m. Duck Walk. Join the 1 p.m. Raptor ID Workshop and 3 p.m. Ornithology Workshop. End with the 5:15 p.m. Short-eared Owl Hike.

🦉 Sunday, Feb. 2: Family Day for kids aged 5 to 13, with activities from 1-6 p.m. We offer hikes and activities.

🦉 Saturday, Feb. 8: Begin with the 8 a.m. Bird Hike and learn about some of the birds you might see at the 11 a.m. Duck ID workshop. At 2 p.m., visit with RAPTORS Inc. and live owls; benefit from Ornitherapy at 4 p.m.; and cap off the day with the Short-eared Owl Hike at 5:15 p.m.

More information and weekday events, like a sparrow banding demonstration and an owl research presentation, can be found online at Energy.gov/LM/Fernald-Preserve-Visitors-Center