National Recreation Area National Park Service Lake Mead U.S. Department of the Interior

Desert Tortoise

Like the Joshua tree, the slow- them as pets. Yet there are signs moving desert tortoise has come to that, as the human population Desert Tortoise symbolize the Mojave Desert. expands in the desert areas, we may be loving tortoises to death. For many of us, an encounter with Dome tortoise populations near a wild desert tortoise is the thrill of urban areas have already disap­ a lifetime. Almost everyone loves peared, and others may not be far tortoises, and many people keep behind.

Desert tortoises occur in scattered to predation by coyotes, dogs, populations throughout the south­ ravens, and other animals. It has western U.8. and northwestern been estimated that in the wild only Natural History Mexico. Unlike aquatic turtles, one hatchling from every 15-20 they are strictly land-dwelling and nests reaches maturity. Qince avoid water except for occasional maturity does not occur until age 15 drinks. Like other reptiles, tortoises or older, tortoises probably depend cannot control their body tempera­ . on longevity to maintain population ture internally. They avoid extreme levels. Due to their secretive life­ temperatures by retreating to style, however, many details of underground burrows and, only their private lives will remain un­ when conditions are favorable, do known until long-term studies have they emerge to drink and feed on been conducted. It is thought that grasses, flowers, and cactus fruit. individual tortoises, inhabiting the same patch of desert land for Baby tortoises, which hatch from season after season, may live for eggs in late summer, are less than 50 or even 100 years. two inches long and are vulnerable Unless you were born here or have have allowed the tortoise to survive raised a family in Nevada, chances a prolonged drought. However, if a are that the tortoise you meet at tortoise is in danger of being hit on Encountering Lake Mead National Recreation the busy road, pick it up gently and Area (NRA) has been here longer place it off the road in the direction Desert than you! It knows its home area it was headed and preferably in the well—where to go for nutritious shade. Tortoises spring shoots and summer grasses, or for precious water after a sum­ Many people feel they should move mer rain. From many years of tortoises they find to a National experience, if has discovered the Park or release tortoises they can best shelters and the most direct no longer care for. Please don't! routes to them. A tortoise you see Wild tortoises belong where they crossing a road is probably not lost, live now and probably have a better but following a path established long chance of surviving in a familiar before the pavement was laid. area than in a new, unfamiliar place. Releasing pet tortoises into What should you do if you see a the wild is illegal, because they may tortoise? Unless it is crossing a displace existing wild tortoises or busy road, the best thing is to leave transfer an upper respiratory tract it alone and watch it from afar. disease (URTD). URTD is suspected Bothering or holding wild tortoises is of killing hundreds, and perhaps illegal in Nevada, California, Arizona thousands, of desert tortoises in the and Utah and for a good reason. Mojave Desert. Also, pet tortoises When tortoises feel threatened, rarely have skills necessary to they often void wafer. The wafer is adapt to a natural area. distasteful to a predator—but would

At Lake Mead National Recreation There are some things you can do Area, we are actively working with to help desert tortoises. If you can Clark County, Nevada, University of no longer care for your pet, call the Helping Desert Nevada, Bureau of Land Manage­ Clark County Desert Conservation ment (BLM), Nevada Department of Hotline at (702) 383-TORT. They Tortoises Wildlife (NDOW), Arizona Game and have an adoption program for Fish (AGF) and the Biological Re­ tortoises and will find it a caring source Division (BRD) of the United home. If you hear of someone else States Geological Survey (U8G8) taking a tortoise from the wild, to learn mere about desert tor­ teach them what you know, or toises. Studies in the park include share this handout with them. population surveys and monitoring, as well as demographic studies to If you encounter a desert tortoise determine the life span of tortoises while enjoying Lake Mead NRA, do and causes of death. Future studies not touch the tortoise and please are planned to determine the ef­ contact the Resources Division at fects of wildland fires on tortoises. 293-8978 or fill out a wildlife We have much to learn about the observation card available at the life history and habitat needs of Alan Bible Visitor Center, ranger these ancient and fascinating - stations, and Lake Mead headquar­ animals. Our goal is to ensure that ters in Boulder City. Your location our desert tortoises will find a good information will increase our knowl­ home here for many years to come. edge of where tortoises are living in the park.

Perhaps the best way we can assist tortoises is to help save their dimin­ ishing habitat by participating in desert preservation efforts.

\J Printed on recycled paper 7/23/97