Desert Tortoises

Like their Eastern cousins, the Gopher Tortoises, Desert Tortoises are medium sized tortoises, who are stocky and tan to dark brown in color. They are considered an important keystone species in desert ecosystems. Keystone species are animals that other species in the environment depend on for survival. Desert Tortoises are in this role because of their deep burrows, which provide shelter for many other animals such as burrowing owls, small mammals, reptiles, and insects seeking protection from extreme desert temperatures. They have strong, muscular, shovel-like front legs that are specially adapted for digging, along with a thick bony shell that grows with them throughout their lives. The outer layer of their shell is covered in hard, keratinized sections called scutes, which can show growth rings that can give general estimates of age, especially in younger tortoises. Male tortoises are normally larger than females and have curved horns on their lower shell, beneath the neck.

Desert Tortoises are herbivores, meaning they eat only vegetation. They most commonly feed on low-growing desert plants around their burrows, including native grasses, wildflowers, and cacti such as prickly pear. Their diet can include dozens of seasonal plant species depending on rainfall and availability. Instead of teeth, Desert Tortoises have a sharp, keratinized beak that allows them to clip and chew tough desert vegetation efficiently. Desert Tortoises also play an important role in their ecosystem because as they forage on a wide variety of plants, they help disperse seeds through their droppings, which can help seeds spread and germinate across the desert landscape.

Today, the biggest threat to Desert Tortoises is the loss and fragmentation of their desert habitats. Urban development, roads, and other human activities break their territory into smaller, isolated patches, making it harder for tortoises to find food, water, and mates. Many Desert Tortoises are also at risk of being injured or killed by vehicles when they cross roads in search of new habitat. In addition, Desert Tortoises reproduce slowly, and many hatchlings do not survive to adulthood. Because Desert Tortoises dig deep burrows that provide shelter for themselves and dozens of other desert species, the decline of tortoise populations also threatens these other animals that rely on their burrows for protection from the harsh desert environment.

Desert Tortoises need our help! Here are some ways you can help protect this incredible species! If you see a Desert Tortoise in the wild, including on your property, leave it alone and enjoy having such an important neighbor! Do not attempt to touch, pick up, or move them, as handling can cause injury and stress. Desert tortoises have an amazing spatial memory, an ancient GPS in their heads, that helps them remember the locations of food, water, and burrows. Moving them can prevent them from finding these essential resources and may put them at risk of starvation or being hit by vehicles. If you notice development or construction near a Desert Tortoise burrow, contact your local wildlife authorities immediately. In many areas, construction is restricted near burrows, and trained officials can ensure the tortoise and its burrow are protected or, if necessary, safely relocated to a suitable habitat.