Meet Our Reptiles
Meet our Russian Tortoises
Boris
Boris is a calm and gentle Russian tortoise who came to BEARS ETC. after being surrendered from a home that could no longer care for him. Now living safely in his outdoor enclosure, he enjoys soaking in the sun, digging in the soft soil, and exploring like a wild tortoise. His favorite treats are fresh strawberries, and you’ll often find him lounging in his pool on warm days. Boris is thriving in his peaceful habitat and brings a quiet charm to everyone who visits.
Tiffany
Tiffany is a sweet Russian tortoise who came to BEARS ETC. in 2016 after her family could no longer care for her. She now lives happily in a large outdoor enclosure where she can soak up natural sunlight, dig in soft soil, and explore just like a wild tortoise. Tiffany does not hibernate during the winter, so you may not see her outside when it’s cold. Her favorite treat is fresh strawberries, and she enjoys relaxing in her pool on warm days. Tiffany brings a gentle, peaceful presence to the sanctuary and is thriving in her foster home.
Tuck
Tuck is a lively Russian tortoise who came to BEARS ETC. in 2020 after his family would no longer provide the care he needed. When he arrived, his beak was overgrown, and he lacked proper heat and UV lighting, but after a veterinary check and some TLC, he quickly improved. Now Tuck lives in a spacious outdoor enclosure where he can roam freely. He’s the only small tortoise who uses the entire habitat, and the team finds him exploring all over the place! Tuck is thriving in his peaceful home and brings lots of personality to the sanctuary.
Meet our Red- Footed Tortoise
Darwin
Darwin was found wandering around a car dealership in Tomball, TX. How he got there or where he came from is a mystery. Darwin is a calm and distinguished older gentleman. He likes his naps, his veggies must be cut to just the right size, and please stay off his lawn! While Darwin is a huge introvert, he is also a very healthy example of a Redfoot Tortoise. This leads us to believe he was loved and well taken care of pet for most of his life. Despite posting around the area where he was found, no owner came forward.
Promise
Promise is another example of the exotic pet trade failing the animals. Promise was sold as a pet to a little boy who quickly grew tired of him. Promise is very social and loves butt-scratches, but is still not as interactive as a puppy or kitten. Once it became clear to the parents that they would be responsible for tortoise care for the next 70 years, they sought out rescue. A rescue in Ohio was able to take him in, but needed a permanent solution for him. Promise came into the founders’ lives and helped shape and launch BEARS Etc. Â
Meet the Sulcata Tortoise
Snowball
Snowball, is a beautiful healthy tortoise that was one of the few sold into the pet trade that found a loving and knowledgeable owner. She lived happily for many years in a large back yard playing with her dog brothers and soaking up the sun. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic had caused her owner to lose her home and she was out of options. Her owner called BEARS Etc. and asked for placement. We were thrilled to provide a place for Snowball to land, we don’t often see such well cared for animals in rescue.  Â
Tator Tort
Tator Tort was famous in the subdivision. No one knew where she came from, but she would come and go as she pleased, skipping from back yard to back yard. Several families tried to keep her contained, but the tiny bulldozer that is Tator Tort would bust through fences and hedge rows to go where she pleased. One day, for unknown reasons, she broke into a house and was captured by a pest control company. The homeowners contacted BEARS Etc. and we were happy to give permanent placement to this feisty girl. Â
Tortellini
Tortellini was raised for the first years of his life in a glass aquarium without UV light and fed a diet of head lettuce. This lack of care caused him to have metabolic bone disease. As a result, his shell grew deformed, which caused his internal organs to be compressed. The owner’s new girlfriend convinced him to send Tortellini to rescue, so he was shipped in a box via FedEx from New York to Texas in 2014. He spent several years at rescue in Southeast Texas which shut down in 2017. Tortellini came to BEARS Etc., with his friend Tortilla, as one of the founding rescues after our official non-profit 501c3 paperwork was approved.  Â
Tortilla
Tortilla was found in an alley by firefighters in the greater Houston, TX area after one of the many flood events that plague the region. He spent several years at a rescue in Southeast Texas, which shut down in 2017. Tortilla came to BEARS Etc., with his friend Tortellini, as one of the founding rescues after our official non-profit 501c3 paperwork was approved.  Â
Meet the Turtles
The Box Turtles
Herbie, Fiero, Porsche, and Lamborghini are four box turtles who spent nearly two decades in an aquarium without proper light, space, or diet. Now living in a natural outdoor habitat at BEARS Etc., they enjoy sunshine, healthy food, and room to roam. Safe and cared for, they finally have the peaceful life every turtle deserves.
Taco
Taco, a rescued mud turtle, came from a severe hoarding case where she suffered eye infections, metabolic bone disease, and shell deformities. With patient care, she’s healing and thriving—basking, hiding in plants, and enjoying shallow water she can manage safely. Now at BEARS Etc., she lives peacefully while continuing her recovery.
Meet our Mali Uromastyx
Sheldon
Sheldon is a cautious yet curious Mali Uromastyx at BEARS ETC. He loves basking under warm lights, showing off his seasonal color changes, and exploring his safe, enriched habitat. Once comfortable, he enjoys attention and embodies the fascinating traits of his wild desert relatives.