G. agassizii is widely distributed toward the southern part of U.S. including Utah, California and Nevada. Desert tortoise is a type of tortoise adapted to the life in extreme, desert conditions. Desert tortoise have also been described in scientific literature as Scaptochelys agassizii and Xerobates agassizii. Gopherus agassizii - found in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Other interesting Mojave desert tortoise facts: The bladder of the Mojave Desert tortoise can store up to 40% of its weight in water. Desert Tortoises are approximately 10 to 14 inches long (25 to 36 centimeters). The feet of these tortoises are flat with short legs. Their approximate height … Rocks and soil are also ingested, perhaps as a means of maintaining intestinal digestive bacteria as … These reptiles are very gentle creatures and have a very low rate of reproduction. Gopherus agassizii - found in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Fun Facts for Kids. In one breeding season, it lays 3 clutches. She will usually lay the eggs in June or July and they will usually hatch in August or September. What do Desert Tortoise eat? They have shells which range in color from greenish-tan to brown and have a high dome. This helps them maintain water when the temperature is hot and survive the extremely cold winters. Defenders works in western deserts and Florida to protect imperiled species of tortoise. The eggs are hatched after 90 to 135 days. Desert tortoises spend period from November to February under the ground. Desert tortoise eats in the spring and autumn, when food is available. Their front limbs have flat claw-like scales which are perfect for digging. They usually hunt young desert turtles. The top is brown or horn-colored; the bottom is yellowed. The head is scaly; the limbs are elephantine with blunt nails and no webbing. Tortoise Facts. Desert tortoises can survive one year without water. Desert tortoises mature at the age of 15 to 20 years. During the hot summer months, desert tortoises spend at least 95 percent of their time underground, emerging only during early morning and at night. Here we will discuss the interesting and amazing facts about rep that you hardly know: Some Interesting facts about Tortoises. Young desert tortoises are usually light tan colored. They can go for long periods of time without food or water. One of our tortoises is a very messy eater. The males of both species are slightly longer than the females. In fact they hibernate during winters. An adult desert tortoise can survive a year or more without water. Back legs are skinnier and very long. They weigh 8 to 15 pounds (4 to 7 kilograms). Home range of desert tortoises covers the area of 10 to 100 acres. It usually lives on the altitude of 1000 to 3000 feet, but it can survive even on the elevation of 5000 feet. It is the official state reptile of … Desert tortoise has scaled head and high domed shell. They have a body that is flat and that is shaped like a pear. The desert tortoise is an admirable reptile, living in extreme conditions that other species of his kind can't handle. Underground burrows are complex, 3 to 6 feet deep and up to 30 feet long. A Tortoise is a Turtle, but a turtle isn’t a tortoise Facts: History and Science Facts for Kids, Reptiles and Mammals Reading Comprehension. Desert tortoise can reach 4 to 6 inches in height, 9 to 15 inches in length and 8 to 15 pounds of weight. Fun Facts: The shell is high domed with prominent growth lines on shields of both the upper and lower shell sections. You should not hold desert tortoise because they empty their bladder (their storage of water; holds over 40% of body weight) when handled/molested as a defense mechanism. Its diet consists of available vegetation, usually of shrubs, grass, cacti and their flowers. He's also unique because he can dig underground to seek refuge from high heat and freezing temperatures. Desert Tortoises are approximately 10 to 14 inches long (25 to 36 centimeters). Which is important because they dig burrows in order to survive. Their bodies conserve this water efficiently. The population has decreased by as much as 90 percent in some areas since the 1980s due to vandalism, predation, disease, and collection for pets (now illegal). Basic Desert Tortoise Facts. Desert Tortoises dig burrows where they go to escape the heat of the summer, the cold of winter, and to protect themselves from predators. These magnificent creatures come in all shapes and size and it adapts the different environments easily. The shells of Desert tortoises are high-domed, and greenish-tan to dark brown in color. The soil should be soft enough to dig but firm enough not to collapse. Desert tortoise has scaled head and high domed shell. Adult animals are dark brown colored. Desert tortoises can tolerate water, salt, and energy imbalances on a daily basis, which increases their lifespans. During the summer, ground temperatures in parts of their range can hit 140˚F. These tortoises have very long neck. Agassiz’s desert tortoises have a high domed shell, which is usually brown in adults and dark tan in younger adults. The Desert Tortoise is a herbivore. Desert Tortoise Facts The largest native land tortoise in North America, the desert tortoise is listed as threatened on the U.S. Gopherus morafkai - found east of the Colorado River in Arizona and Mexico (Mexico states Sonora and Sinaloa). Young desert tortoises are usually light tan colored. Incubation period lasts 10 to 12 months. Endangered Species Act and is protected throughout its range. Desert tortoises from the western part of Mojave Desert are listed as vulnerable (they may become endangered in the near future). Desert tortoises store water in the bladder. Adult animals are dark brown colored. Fun Facts about Desert Tortoise. Mating season takes place from late summer to early autumn. Build a “snowman” out of fruit, keeping his favorite treat at the top so he has to work to get it. These threats include: Encroachment of humans into their natural habitats. The desert tortoise population has declined 90 percent during the past three decades. Facts Summary: The Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "reptiles" and found in the following area(s): Arizona, California, Mexico, Nevada, Utah. Desert tortoise is herbivore (plant-eater). When it rains they go to these basins to obtain the precious water. Desert tortoises are inactive most of the year. These animals spend more than 95% of their life under the ground. Several tortoises will usually share a single burrow. Desert tortoise can survive in areas where temperature of the ground reaches 60 degrees of Celsius. Turn dinner time into puzzle time. 21-22 Tortoise Facts 21. The quality of the soil influences the density of desert tortoise populations. The six-sided carapace shields are dull brown or yellowish; the plastron is yellowish and unpatterned. They can stick their limbs and head into the shell for long periods of time. One method these tortoises have found for surviving the harsh desert climate is to dig catchment basins in the dirt to capture what little rainfall there is in the desert. These foods contain a lot of moisture, and desert tortoises can go for up to one year without access to fresh water! In the spring they obtain water mostly from the moist grass and other vegetation they eat. The body of the this Tortoise is dark green, olive, and black as is the shell. Desert tortoise can survive in areas where temperature of the ground reaches 60 degrees of Celsius. This species is the second smallest tortoise (the smallest being South Africa’s speckled padloper). It can be found in California (Mojave Desert), Mexico (Sonoran desert), Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The desert tortoise is a medium-sized species of tortoise that is found in the south-western desert regions of Northern America, and parts of northern Mexico. Desert tortoise has strong, heavily scaled front legs equipped with sharp claws that are used for digging of underground burrows. They can store water in their bladder, and are able to tolerate high levels of urea in their blood to keep from losing moisture through excess urinating. Being so small, the Egyptian tortoise is able to warm up very quickly in the sun. Spring and fall are mating seasons of these tortoises. In the case of danger, turtles will release urine. Gopherus morafkai - found east of the Colorado River in Arizona and Mexico (Mexico states Sonora and Sinaloa). Some activities for tortoises include: Fun food shapes give your tortoise something neat to look at, interact with, and get rewarded by eating. Desert tortoises are herbivores, dining on grasses, flowers, fruit, and cactus. Tortoises do not have teeth; instead, they have a beak and grind their food. Their life span is thirty to fifty years. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 15 to 20 years. Male desert tortoises have longer tails than female desert tortoises, and males have a concave shaped underbelly. Females can give birth for up to 15 years after initial mating with the male. A desert tortoise is a large tortoise that mostly lives in deserts and digs burrows in the ground. Males occupy larger territories than females. The Desert Tortoise is the official reptile of California and Nevada. They will leave burrows only to drink water that collects on the ground after heavy rains. The desert tortoise shares such extreme conditions of their habitat that no other tortoise in America does. Only 2% of hatchlings reach adulthood. Burrows can be shared with up to 23 other tortoises and lots of other desert creatures (insects, birds, reptiles and mammals). Desert tortoises live in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. When he is done eating the keepers have to take a toothbrush and warm water to clean all of the food stuck to his beak. A female tortoise lays a clutch size of 4 to 8 eggs. Giant tortoises can grow as long as 130 centimeters and weigh up to 919 pounds. The tortoise is a unique creature with fascinating features. This offers them protection from predators and solace from the heat. Both carapace and plastron (undershell) are marked with growth rings. They have heavily scaled front claws used for burrowing, and relatively long rear legs. These burrows can be more than five feet deep and they can spend over ninety percent of their time in them. Desert tortoise are able to burrow to escape heat. The desert tortoise is an herbivore. Their approximate height is 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters). 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