Defenders' Experts
Desert Tortoise
For millions of
years the Desert Tortoise has roamed North America. The desert tortoise (Gopherus
agassizii) is a large herbivore and the official reptile in the states of
California and Nevada. No other turtle in North America shares the extreme conditions of habitats
occupied by the desert tortoise. The tortoise is able to live where ground
temperatures may exceed 140 degrees F because of its ability to dig underground
burrows to escape the heat.
New Report Highlights Value of Deserts
Our new report is full of photos and facts to help you understand the economic values of the ecologically and culturally rich California desert lands.
Learn more.
In the Field
Because the management challenges the desert tortoise faces are diverse, Defenders field efforts include work with federal and state land managers, desert conservationists, and increasingly the Off-Highway Vehicle community.
Management and Policy
Defenders management efforts include education and outreach on tortoise conservation needs throughout the west Mojave desert. Targeted outreach that is reflective of the diverse communities that share the desert will be tailored to Spanish-speaking communities in the coming months. Defenders also hopes to help acquire key desert tortoise habitat to increase connectivity in populations and reduce vulnerability.
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