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    Saguaro

    National Park Arizona

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  • High Desert Temperatures

    Desert temps are over 100 degrees with extremely low humidity. Drink water before you hit the trails, and during your hike drink a quart of water per hour and some form of electrolytes to replace minerals your body needs. Wear a hat and sunscreen. More »

  • Fire Restrictions in effect for Saguaro National Park

    Due to increased fire danger in southern Arizona, Saguaro National Park will implement fire restrictions in both the Rincon and Tucson Mountain Districts, beginning Wednesday, May 22, 2013. More »

  • Tucson Mountain District (west) road re-opened

    The Golden Gate Road has been re-opened north of Sendero-Esperanza and is is now rated for high clearance vehicles due to the rough nature of the terrain. More »

Turtles

ornate box turtle

image courtesy of eric stitt

Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornate)
This scientific name translates to mean small, ornate turtle. Both the carapace (upper shell) and plastron (lower shell) are brown with radiating yellow lines, and the male has reddish spots on its front legs. It lives in desert grasslands in shallow burrows to avoid extreme temperatures. It has a hinged plastron, allowing it to seal off its head and front legs when a predator comes near.
Shell length: 4 - 5¾ in (10.1 - 14.6 cm)
Diet: Insects, fruits, berries, and leaves

 
Sonora mud turtle

image courtesy of dave prival

Sonora Mud Turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) This aquatic turtle can be found in and around springs, creeks, or other water sources. Its shell is yellowish-brown and often covered with algae. It also has fleshy bumps located under the chin.
Shell length: 3⅛ - 6½ in (7.9 - 16.5 cm)
Diet: Crustaceans, insects, worms, fish, frogs

Did You Know?

Saguaro

The saguaro cactus only grows naturally in the Sonoran Desert. There are approximately 1.6 million individual saguaro plants growing within Saguaro National Park.