The Desert Tortoise

Class: Reptilia
Order: Chelonia
Suborder: Cryptodira
Super Family: Testudinoidea
Family: Testudinidae
Genus Gopherus
Species: agassizii

Stats

Diet

Behavior
Weight: 8-15 lbs.
Length: 9-15
Height: 4-6
Mating Season: August- October
Incubation Period: 90-120 days
No. Of Eggs: 4-8
Birth Interval: 2-3/year
Lifespan: 80-100 years
Herbs
Grasses
Shrubs
Cacti
Water

Population

The population of desert tortoises

have decreased by 90% since the
1950s
There are only about 100,000 left
Population is decreasing because
ravens eat baby tortoises not
allowing them to grow or
reproduce

Habitat

Inhabit semi-arid grasslands,

desert washes and sandy canyon
bottoms
Ground temperatures are at least
140 degrees F
Burrow in the ground

Spring- find food

Summer conserves water stored
in its body.
Winter- hibernation
Adult tortoises may survive a
year or more without access to
water.

Reproduction
Mating Season: Late summer to
early fall.
Gestation: 10-12 months.
Clutch size: 4-6 eggs.
Females do not breed until they
are 15 to 20 years old. Survival
of juveniles is low: only 2-3 per
100 hatched may live to become
adults.