Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

Home > Zoo > Animals > T > Tortoise, Desert

Fast Facts:

Threats to survival include habitat loss and diseases from introduced species

Desert Tortoise

Scientific Name	Gopherus agassizii
Classification	Phylum Chordata, Class Reptilia, Order Testudines, Suborder Cryptodira, Family Testudinidae
Status	Endangered
Range	United States - Nevada, Arizona, California, Utah; Mexico - Baja, Sinaloa, Sonora
Habitat	Desert washes, oases, rocky hillsides, canyon bottoms
Diet	Grasses, cacti, desert blossoms
Size	Average length of the top shell (carapace) is 19 inches
Lifespan
Location
Print Fact Sheet	Desert Tortoise

Conservation

Desert tortoise populations are in trouble due to habitat loss and destruction. A principle cause of habitat destruction is motorcyclists who crush their shells and burrows. Cattle and sheep often overgraze the land. Miners build "tailings" ponds in which the tortoises drown.

Desert tortoise populations have also been threatened by a deadly respiratory illness carried by pet tortoises released into the wild.

Special Features

Desert tortoises dig huge burrows where they seek relief from the desert's extreme heat. Some burrows are up to 32 feet long. If the average human were to accomplish a similar feat, he or she would have to dig a tunnel 115 feet long!

Social Structure & Behavior

The mating season extends from the spring into late summer. Nesting occurs from May through July.

Females dig funnel-shaped nests in sandy soils. Females lay 2-3 clutches (groups) of 5-6 eggs each year. Hatching usually occurs in September or October, after a 90-120 day incubation period.