Desert Tortoise

Gopherus agassizii

The Desert Tortoise is at home in the hottest driest parts of North America. It avoids the midday heat by napping in its cool burrow. It gets all of its water through the plants that it eats. When you see a Desert Tortoise, resist the temptation to pick it up. One of the things a frightened tortoise will sometimes do is to release a flood of foul-smelling liquid when it is lifted off of the ground. This loss of water can be a serious problem for the animal if it can't replace the moisture soon.

Look For : A large tortoise with a tan to black shell with orangish centers in scutes. Head rounded.

Length : 8 1/2-14".

Habitat : Deserts, dry rocky hillsides, canyon bottoms.

Range : Arizona, Nevada, southern California.