Desert Tortoise

Gopherus agassizi

Range

• Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico

Habitat

• Desert

Diet

• Vegetation

Desert tortoises are one of the three tortoise species found in the U.S.

They occur in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts where they are specially adapted to deal with the hot, dry conditions. They remain inactive during most of the year to avoid the temperature extremes. They are excellent borrowers and these burrows are used by other animals as well.