About Tortoise Ranch
Tortoise Ranch offers a unique, one-of-a-kind educational experience where hosts Terry and Nadia open their home to visitors for hands-on interaction with various tortoises, including feeding and even riding. It's an opportunity to learn directly from knowledgeable owners about their pets and succulents, provided at no cost to the community.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with children aged 5 and older seeking a unique, hands-on animal encounter.Educational outings for school-aged children interested in reptiles.Families looking for a memorable, free activity.Visitors who appreciate direct interaction with knowledgeable animal caretakers.Families prepared for a rustic, ranch-like setting.
Why families love it
- Opportunity to feed tortoises specific treats you bring (romaine lettuce, carrots, cucumber).
- Rare chance to ride tortoises (mentioned for school-aged kids).
- Direct, hands-on learning about tortoises and succulents from the knowledgeable owners, Terry and Nadia.
- The hosts, Terry and Nadia, are described as kind, educated, thoughtful, and amazing.
- The experience is offered at no cost, making it highly valuable.
- Creates memorable family experiences.
Insider tips
- You *must* book an appointment to visit.
- Show up on time for your scheduled appointment.
- Bring specific foods for feeding the tortoises: romaine lettuce, a few carrots, and a small amount of cucumber (too much can make them sick).
- Any food brought for the tortoises must be washed and prepared beforehand.
- If food is dropped, place it in a designated bucket for re-washing, do not let tortoises eat it from the ground as dirt can make them sick.
- Be prepared for a ranch-like environment, which means dirt and animal waste.
Good to know before you go
- Families with children younger than 5 years old.
- Anyone unwilling to strictly adhere to animal safety and home rules.
- Visitors who expect a pristine, clinical environment (expect dirt and animal droppings).
- Those unable to commit to being punctual for appointments.
- Other guests sometimes disrespect the rules, the reptiles, and the owners' home.
- Crowds
- Visits are by appointment, suggesting controlled crowd levels. No reports of overcrowding.
- Value
- Exceptional value, as the entire unique, hands-on, and educational experience with personal interaction from the owners is provided at no cost. Visitors are encouraged to bring specific food items for feeding the tortoises, which is the only implied 'cost'.
- Food
- Visitors are encouraged to bring washed and prepared romaine lettuce, carrots, and limited cucumber for feeding the tortoises. No mention of outside human food or drink policy, or on-site food sales.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned in the reviews. Given it's a 'ranch' and potentially a private home, accessibility may vary.
- Safety
- A strong emphasis on following 'lots of rules' for the health of the animals and visitor safety (e.g., avoiding bites).
What parents say
"My family had an amazing time at Terry and Nadia’s tortoise ranch! Sad to see guests not respecting the rules, reptiles, and residence as owners ask, especially because they are both so kind, educated, and thoughtful to their tortoise and all visitors. They are giving us the opportunity to experience THEIR HOME and pets with a one of a kind tortoise ranch/educational session at no cost. I am so grateful to have the chance to enjoy and make memories for a lifetime with my family. For the people who book an appointment, please show up with respect in regards to abiding by the rules owners set fo"
11 months ago
"Such a nice place to go, and the host Terry and Nadia are amazing, willing to share all their knowledge about their pets and succulents ! I recommend it as is a great experience for kids and adults. Thanks Nadia and Terry for sharing your place and knowledge this was a memorable experience for our family 💜 The best secret in Campbell"
8 months ago
"GREAT experience. You get to feed them treats! Bring romaine lettuce, maybe a few carrots, a cucumber (too much cucumber could make them sick). The food has to be washed and prepared before they can be fed. They eat grass every day. A 400 pound vegetarian, and lots of smaller ones. Lots of rules you must follow for the health of the animals. Eating dirt can make them sick - if you drop food, put it in the bucket so it can be washed. Not for children less than 5yo. Be ready for dirt and poo, like you find on any ranch. If you get bit, it is your own fault, you were not following the ru"
9 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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