Behind the Scenes: How We Film Rescue Tortoises (RAW AUDIO INCLUDED)

Today we’re doing something different—because you’ve asked for it over and over.

You’ll see two versions of the same moment with Breeze (a giant tortoise close to 300 pounds):

Unedited RAW footage — natural breathing, natural sounds, real time.

The edited version — the way we normally shape a story so more people can feel it, understand it, and stay long enough to learn.

In this video there’s a point where experienced tortoise keepers notice a tiny change—an expression shift and an eye movement—that a novice would likely miss. We pause the music, mark it on-screen, and show it twice so you can learn what we’re seeing as it’s happening. Then Breeze makes his move: he stands up, walks right to the phone, breathes heavily and smells the camera, then backs up and settles again. Through this whole sequence of events his eye never leaves the camera.

This is what building trust looks like at a true forever-home rescue: slow, patient, respectful… and always paying attention.

If you’re new here—welcome. This is Joshua Tree Reptile Haven: a forever home sanctuary for tortoises and turtles. We don’t adopt out. Every rescue is a lifetime commitment, and that means daily care, safe housing, and the infrastructure it takes to keep them protected for decades to come.

If this video taught you something, please:

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