How many babies do desert tortoises have?
Reproduction begins between ages 12-20, with clutch sizes of 1-14 eggs. In years with low rainfall, females may lay few to no eggs. Females can store sperm for five years or longer, meaning they can reproduce for several years after mating.
Where does the desert tortoise live in the United States?
The Mojave desert tortoise occurs in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts north and west of the Colorado River in southwestern Utah, southern Nevada, southeastern California, and northwestern Arizona in the United States.
What should you do if you see a tortoise in the desert?
Tortoises enjoy resting in the shade of parked cars; always look under your car before driving away. Keep vehicles on established roads only. Vehicles will crush tortoise burrows, killing the tortoises and eggs within. An encounter with a desert tortoise is a rare treat.
How big does a baby desert tortoise get?
All desert tortoises start their lives as eggs. Those eggs are very small, and they are usually between 1 and 1.5 inches in length. So baby desert tortoises are not very big either. But this will change very soon. During the first years of their lives, desert tortoises will grow very fast.
How to transport a tortoise in hot weather?
In hot weather: 1 Keep the box on the shaded side of the vehicle and away from drafts. 2 Do not leave the tortoise in a parked vehicle. 3 If you have a choice, transport the tortoise in a cool part of the day.
What kind of habitat does the desert tortoise live in?
The Desert Tortoise is one of most elusive inhabitants of the desert, spending up to 95% of its life underground. The desert tortoise lives in a variety of habitats from sandy flats to rocky foothills, including alluvial fans, washes and canyons where suitable soils for den construction might be found.
Can a desert tortoise be released into the wild?
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) is the primary “adoption agency” for captive desert tortoises that cannot be released into the wild, because “captive tortoises can transmit diseases that can decimate Arizona’s wild populations.”
When is it necessary for a tortoise to be transported?
There will be occasions during your tortoise’s life when it is necessary for it to be transported. This could be to a new home, a visit to the vets or even holiday boarding, and we have listed a few practical tips to ensure the journey is as stress free for the tortoise as possible.
Where can I adopt a desert tortoise in Arizona?
There is no adoption fee, but a donation amount is suggested. There is a Desert Tortoise Adoption Hotline (844 896-5730) and email ( [email protected]) in Arizona. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (520 883-3062, desertmuseum.org/programs/tap.html) in the Tucson Area is a state-sanctioned Adoption Facility.
