Mojave (Desert Tortoise)
Gopherus
agassizi
California
Desert tortoises are protected by law in California. The California Turtle and Tortoise Club
handles the permitting of all tortoises in California. Desert tortoises thrive
in warm climates but require shelter from the sun and the cold. Even in the desert they hibernate for a short
period in the winter. They are
susceptible to respiratory illnesses that are extremely contagious, so captive
tortoises must never be returned to the desert.
If the bottom of their shell is concave, the tortoise is a male. The shape allows the male to mount the
female. If the bottom of the shell is
flat, the tortoise is a female. They are on the move constantly which is why
they are often lost by pet owners. Sadly
many tortoises have a hole drilled in their shell allowing the pet owner to
tether the tortoise so it cannot wander away.
This often ends in tragic loss of limbs when the chain or rope wraps
around the leg and goes unnoticed until the circulation is cut off.
Mojave was brought to us by a Fish and Wildlife warden from the
southern Central Valley. He too was
found roaming around town.