Notice
Aug 23, 1978
Aug 23, 1978 Notice (Information Solicitation)
Review of the Status of the Desert Tortoise
- Publication type: Status Review Initiation
Item 1
FWS Focus
Overview
Characteristics
Overview
The Mojave population of desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) includes all tortoises north and west of the Colorado River in Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California. Listed as threatened in 1990, these tortoises are impacted by ongoing threats, including loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat due to development. They are also impacted by increased wildfire due to non-native invasive vegetation, disease, road mortality and predation of their eggs and hatchlings.
Scientific Name
Gopherus agassizii
Common Name
Desert Tortoise
Mohave Desert Tortoise
Agassiz's Desert Tortoise
Mojave Desert Tortoise
FWS Category
Reptiles
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Characteristic category
Habitat
Characteristics
Habitat
Mojave population of desert tortoise lives in a variety of habitats from sandy flats to rocky foothills, including alluvial fans, washes and canyons.
Characteristic category
Behavior
Characteristics
Behavior
The desert tortoise hibernates in burrows for up to nine months each year, and is most active from March to June and September to October.
Characteristic category
Physical Characteristics
Characteristics
Color & Pattern
The desert tortoise has a top shell is brown, gray or black, and the shell underneath is lighter.
Sound
The desert tortoise produces a variety of sounds - hisses, grunts, pops, whoops, huhs, echs, bips, etc.
Size & Shape
The desert tortoise has a short tail, flattened front legs that are adapted for digging, elephant-like hind legs and a high-domed shell.
Measurements
Shell height: 4 to 6 inches
Shell length: 8 to 15 inches
Weight
Adult tortoises weigh eight to 15 pounds.
Characteristic category
Life Cycle
Characteristics
Life Span
Desert tortoises can live roughly 50 to 80 years, but take 13 to 20 years to reach sexual maturity.
Characteristic category
Food
Characteristics
Food
The desert tortoise eat various herbs, grasses, cacti and wildflowers.
Timeline
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42 Items