Desert Tortoise
ExploreReptiles
Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii
Desert tortoises are slow-moving reptiles that live in the hot deserts of North America. They have hard shells to protect themselves and can dig burrows to escape the heat.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Desert Tortoise has a high-domed, sturdy shell, typically grayish-brown to dark brown, that helps it blend seamlessly into its arid home. Its thick, elephantine legs and blunt head are similarly colored, appearing rough and scaly to the touch, contrasting with its smooth, darker shell patches.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyTestudinidaeGenusGopherus
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
2
Interesting facts
Baby tortoises, called hatchlings, dig their way out of their underground nests!
They can go a whole year without drinking water, getting moisture from plants!
Tortoise shells have growth rings, like a tree, revealing how old they are!
When scared, they pull their legs and head completely inside their strong shell!
Special abilities
Ability
Burrow Master
Desert Tortoise can dig extensive burrows because its shovel-like front legs allow it to create cool, safe underground homes.
Ability
Water Reserver
Desert Tortoise has large bladders that help them store water for a year, surviving long droughts in its desert habitat.
Ability
Heat Shield
Desert Tortoise has a thick, domed shell that helps regulate its body temperature, protecting it from extreme desert heat.
Ability
Super Sniffer
Desert Tortoise can find rare desert flowers by smell, which helps them locate crucial food sources after rain.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 25-38 cm
- Weight
- 4-7 kg
- Lifespan
- 50-80 years
- Top Speed
- 0.5 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-12
- Incubation
- 90-120 days
Diet & Feeding
They munch on desert plants, getting all the water and energy they need from tough leaves and flowers!
Primary Foods
- Wildflowers
- Grasses
- Cactus pads
- Cactus fruit
- Herbaceous plants
Foraging Method
- Grazing
Ecological connections
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
Adult tortoises can be prey for coyotes.
eaten by
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Ravens frequently prey on vulnerable tortoise hatchlings.
eats
Gila Monster
Heloderma suspectum
Gila Monsters may dig up and eat tortoise eggs.
depends on
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
Tortoises use creosote bushes for shade and shelter.
eats
Beavertail Cactus
Opuntia basilaris
This cactus is a vital food source for tortoises.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Thermoregulating
Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
Mojave Tortoise
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Always observe desert tortoises from a distance and never disturb them in their natural habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Desert Tortoise?
The easiest way to identify Desert Tortoise is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Desert Tortoise?
25-38 cm
How much does Desert Tortoise weigh?
4-7 kg
How long does Desert Tortoise live?
50-80 years
How fast can Desert Tortoise move?
0.5 km/h
What does Desert Tortoise eat?
They munch on desert plants, getting all the water and energy they need from tough leaves and flowers!
Where is Desert Tortoise usually found?
Desert
How does Desert Tortoise hunt?
Grazing
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Zoo30 sightings16 species
Indiana, US
Indianapolis Zoo
You might spot Harbor Seal, Polar Bear, and Red Panda.
View guide →
Zoo29 sightings15 species
Alabama, US
Birmingham Zoo
You might spot Baja California Rat Snake and Blue-Faced Honeyeater.
View guide →
Zoo20 sightings13 species
California, US
Los Angeles Zoo
You might spot Four-Toed Hedgehog, Military Macaw, and Green Tree Python.
View guide →
Park15 sightings12 species
California, US
Calico Early Man Site
You might spot Creosote Bush, Desert Holly, and Cottontop Cactus.
View guide →
Park17 sightings12 species
California, US
Kelso Depot
You might spot Creosote Bush and Mojave Fringe-Toed Lizard.
View guide →
