• The Desert Tortoise is able to live where ground temperature may exceed 140 degrees F.

• 95% of a Desert Tortoise’s life is spent in underground burrows

• Ravens have caused more than 50 percent of juvenile Desert Tortoise deaths in some areas of the Mojave Desert.

• Adult tortoises may survive a year or more without access to water.

• Desert Tortoise populations have declined by 90 percent since the 1980s

• Ravens are now one of the Desert turtle’s primary predators.

• Much of the tortoise’s water intake comes from moisture in the grasses and wildflowers they consume in the spring.

• It is unlawful to touch, harm, harass or collect a wild Desert Tortoise.

• Class: Reptilia

• Order: Chelonia

• Suborder: Cryptodira

• Super Family: Testudinoidea

• Family: Testudinidae

• Genus: Gopherus

• Species: agassizii

• Height: 4- 6" 

• Sexual Maturity: 15-20 years

• Mating Season: Aug.-Oct.

• Incubation Period: 90-120 days

• No. Of Eggs: 4-8

• Birth Interval: 2-3/year

• Lifespan: 80-100 years 

• Weight: 8-15 lbs.Length (carapace): 9-15"
  

• Typical diet: Herbs, grasses,wildflowers

   

  Tortoise Sites for Kids
  
  

  California Turtle & Tortoise Club
  
  

  Planet Z Kids
  
  

  Wikipedia for Kids

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

 Kids coloring pages

Desert Tortoise

Cartoon Tortoise

Tortoise with Facts

Tortoise in Desert