desert tortoise
Arid land chelonian
A desert tortoise is a land-dwelling reptile native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
These tortoises are well adapted to arid environments, spending much of their time in underground burrows to escape extreme heat and cold.
They can live 50 to 80 years and are protected as a threatened species due to habitat loss and disease.
We spotted a desert tortoise slowly crossing the trail.
Digging to create shelter
- baskingWarming oneself pleasantly
- grazingFeeding on pasture
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
- territorialDefensive about owned space
head bobbing · combat · mating · nesting · egg laying · hatchling · longevity · slow-moving
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- plastronVentral shell portion
- scutesHorny epidermal plates
- dome-shapedCurved like half-globe
- keratinStructural hair protein
growth rings · beak · claws · scales · tail · hindlimbs · forelimbs · brown
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- protectedKept from harm
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- recovery planScheme for restoration
critical habitat · wildlife corridor · translocation · captive breeding · ravens · predation · disease · upper respiratory
Plant-only consumer
- wildflowersUncultivated flowering plants
- grassesMonocot blade plants
- cactiSpiny water-storing plants
- prickly pearSpine-covered cactus, edible fruit
succulents · annuals · browse · vegetation · moisture · fiber · calcium · native plants
Animal's dug dwelling
- creosoteCoal-tar distillate for preservation
- sandy soilCoarse, granular earth
- rocky terrainLand covered with stones
- washClean using liquid
arroyo · shade · den · hibernate · estivate · underground · arid · drought
burrowing
Digging to create shelter
territorial · head bobbing · combat · mating · nesting · egg laying · hatchling · longevity · slow-moving · docile
carapace
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- plastronVentral shell portion
- scutesHorny epidermal plates
- dome-shapedCurved like half-globe
keratin · growth rings · beak · claws · scales · tail · hindlimbs · forelimbs · brown · tan
endangered
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- protectedKept from harm
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
recovery plan · critical habitat · wildlife corridor · translocation · captive breeding · ravens · predation · disease · upper respiratory · population decline
herbivore
Plant-only consumer
- wildflowersUncultivated flowering plants
- grassesMonocot blade plants
- cactiSpiny water-storing plants
prickly pear · succulents · annuals · browse · vegetation · moisture · fiber · calcium · native plants · plantain
burrow
Animal's dug dwelling
- creosoteCoal-tar distillate for preservation
- sandy soilCoarse, granular earth
- rocky terrainLand covered with stones
wash · arroyo · shade · den · hibernate · estivate · underground · arid · drought · parched
- desertsand, sand dunes, sand dune, dune, dunes
- reptileslizard, snake, turtle, crocodile, alligator
- desert lifecamel, cactus, scorpion, rattlesnake, sidewinder
- extreme habitat animalspolar bear, penguin, camel, arctic fox, snow leopard
- Southwest Desertsaguaro, saguaro cactus, Sonoran, prickly pear, cholla
- Turtlesturtle, pond turtle, box turtle, sea turtle, mud turtle
desert tortoisesea turtle
Ocean-dwelling shelled reptile
marine turtle · whale · dolphin · pond turtle · manatee
desert tortoisecheetah
Fastest land animal
peregrine falcon · hare · greyhound · roadrunner · gazelle
desert tortoisepolar bear
Large white arctic mammal
penguin · arctic fox · walrus · seal · salamander
desert, deserted, deserts, tortoise, deserter, deserting, deserters, desertification