Scientific Name: Gopherus agassizii

Temporal Activity: Diurnal and hibernates, active March through fall, will emerge from burrows in response to thunderstorms, monsoons, rain, or favorable temperatures.  Generally more active in early morning and evening; escapes the heat of the day by retreating to its burrow.

Diet: Eats native winter and summer annuals, perennial grasses, cacti, and other vegetation.

Predators:

Breeding: 3-15 eggs per clutch, 2-3 clutches per year, mates in the spring.

Vegetation Association: Associated with creosote, thorn scrub and cacti.

Notes: Bladder can store over 40% of its body weight. Desert Tortoise is a keystone species whose burrow may be used by many other desert species.

Photo: Taken at Brown's Ranch on September 18, 2004. For more photos click on camera icon.

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