![]() Ben Chemel As desert towns and cities grow, the lands of Mojave National Preserve become increasingly important as critical Desert tortoise habitat. The Desert tortoise population has been in decline for decades, due to a variety of factors including loss of habitat and disease. In 1990, the Fish and Wildlife Service added this animal to its list of threatened species. The listing requires federal agencies to work together to stabilize Desert tortoise populations. Desert residents and visitors also have an important role to play in the tortoises' recovery. Tortoise Lifestyles Desert tortoises are well adapted to living in a highly variable environment. During prolonged droughts, they retreat to burrows and reduce their metabolism and loss of water while consuming little food. Adult Desert tortoises lose water at such a slow rate that they can survive for more than a year without access to free water. They are able to survive lean years, then grow and reproduce during years of favorable rainfall and forage production. The Desert Tortoise and You Tortoises and traffic 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. B Michel, NPS Tortoise watching Tortoise collecting is against the law |
Last updated: December 21, 2020