First, carefully evaluate the location. The location of the tortoise will give you an important clue as to whether it is likely to be a wild tortoise or a captive. Tortoises found on the fringes of residential areas in desert towns are very likely to be wild tortoises. They may wander in and out of unfenced yards and along streets on the edge of the desert.
	Second, without touching the tortoise check for signs of captivity, such as paint or holes in the shell.
	Third, if the tortoise shows no such signs of having been a captive, it should be treated as a wild tortoise. If you find such a tortoise, do not handle it unless it is in immediate danger of being killed. Let it proceed on its way. If it is in imminent danger of being killed, pick it up carefully, keeping it in its normal, walking position, and carry it a few hundred yards to the edge of the desert (EXCEPT IN UTAH). You will help to protect the tortoise by allowing it to remain a wild animal.

Some people try to use "tameness" to determine whether the tortoise is wild or a captive. Tameness is not a good criterion because both captives and wild tortoises exhibit a wide variety of behaviors. For example, many wild tortoises lack fear and are curious. They will walk up to a person, sniff, and even stop to rest by him/her. In contrast, some captives are very shy and will withdraw tightly into the shell when an observer approaches. If the tortoise is an obvious captive, follow the procedures described in Management of Captive Tortoises.