Their approximate height is 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters). It is a medium-sized animal mainly found in the desert areas of Northern America. Males are generally larger than females. Like many desert reptiles, this tortoise escapes the baking sun by burrowing. Desert tortoise inhabits areas covered with creosote bushes, rocky canyons, semi-arid grasslands and hillsides. Basic Desert Tortoise Facts. However, at present, they have become quite … The shape of their upper shell is like a dome and it is greenish-brown to tan in color. These are slow-growing and long-lived tortoises that have changed little during the past 200 million years. During the summer and dry seasons, they rely on the water contained within cactus fruits and mesquite grass. The tortoise also ingests soil and small rocks. He's not a showy tortoise; his high shell ranges from dull yellow to dull brown and can be as short as 5 inches or as long as 15 inches. These are especially adapted for digging through desert sand. Twitter. Pinterest. Waste Management.
One disadvantage of the desert tortoise's shell is that he finds it difficult to right himself if turned upside down during courtship fights with other males, sometimes resulting in death from suffocation or exposure. The desert tortoise is a thick skinned fellow, with a scaly head. Desert Tortoise Facts for Kids. WhatsApp. Desert Tortoise Description . The main feature of the Desert Tortoise is the high and patterned shell. The Desert Tortoise is a herbivore. They dig quite deep into the sand for nesting. It can be found in California (Mojave Desert), Mexico (Sonoran desert), Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
Celebrate the ultimate slow and steady land reptile with these fun facts about tortoises. This living creature seems to be very slow, patient, and not to have a care in the world as it moves around the desert locations. The Desert tortoise is the state reptile of California and Nevada. It digs burrows using its thick, powerful front legs. 1. In addition, it is known for living in the burrows underground. The Desert tortoises are two species of tortoise native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the southwestern United States and northern parts of Mexico. During the summer, ground temperatures in parts of their range can hit 140˚F. Desert tortoise Facts Desert tortoise is a type of tortoise adapted to the life in extreme, desert conditions. Adult tortoises can survive a year or more without access to water. The desert tortoise lives in the deserts of southwest US. It digs burrows using its thick, powerful front legs. These reptiles are very gentle creatures and have a very low rate of reproduction. They are Agassiz's desert tortoise and Morafka's desert tortoise. These are especially adapted for digging through desert sand. These are especially adapted for digging through desert sand. It mainly feeds on grasses, but other plant material, such as herbs, flowers and succulents (fleshy, water-retaining plants such as cacti), are also consumed. To beat the heat, desert tortoises use their strong forearms and tough nails to dig underground burrows where they can hide from the sun. Desert Tortoises are approximately 10 to 14 inches long (25 to 36 centimeters). The desert tortoise shares such extreme conditions of their habitat that no other tortoise in America does. Until the mid-1900s, they were commonly encountered by people in and around their habitats. A tortoise is a turtle, but a turtle isn't a tortoise. April 26, 2018 by SRK Leave a Comment. The desert tortoise lives in the deserts of the southwestern US. May 23 is World Turtle Day. These tortoises tend to prefer water-logged soils. Fun Facts for Kids. Like many desert reptiles, this tortoise escapes the baking sun by burrowing. The males of both species are slightly longer than the females. His weight varies widely, ranging from 24 pounds to more than 50 pounds. Desert Tortoise Facts and Information Gopherus agassizii Introduction to Desert Tortoise. It digs burrows using its thick, powerful front legs. Desert tortoises live in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The Desert Tortoise is an American tortoise that lives in the deserts. The scientific name of the Desert Tortoise is Gopherus Agassizzi. A desert tortoise attacked in its burrow retreats and wedges his shell against the roof of the burrow so that he can't be dragged out. The desert tortoise lives in the deserts of the southwestern US. The Mojave Desert tortoise is herbivorous (plant-eating). They weigh 8 to 15 pounds (4 to 7 kilograms). Facebook. Like many desert reptiles, this tortoise escapes the baking sun by burrowing. The Desert Tortoise is a species that falls into the category of being land dwelling. There are two species of desert tortoises: (Gopherus agassizii) and (Gopherus morafkai). His flat, heavy front legs and very long nails help him dig his burrows. ReddIt. Desert Tortoise – Facts For Kids, Habitat, Diet, Information.