Desert tortoises are vegetarians that feast on a wide variety of grasses herbs flowers and cacti. In the spring their diet shifts to include more annual plants that sprout after rains. Tortoises consume a large amount of food relative to their body size. Adult tortoises eat approximately 10% of their body weight in vegetation daily.
One study found that desert tortoises eat an average of 29 different plant species with a preference for palatable grasses such as desert dandelion (Desmanthus virgatus) desert holly (Keystone species) sphinx date (Phoenix dactylifera) and Indian rice grass (Achnatherum hymenoides). Common herbs consumed include black sage (Salvia mellifera) burrobush (Ambrosia dumosa) and Joshua tree flower (Yucca brevifolia).
Tortoises will also eat flourishing annuals such as desert Mariposa lily (Calochortus kennedyi) desert five-spot (Eremalche rotundifolia) and desert globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua). Fruits are an important part of the diet of juvenile tortoises but adults consume them less frequently. Preferred fruits include those of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla) and creosote bush (Larrea tridentata).
Desert tortoises get the majority of the water they need from the plants they eat. They will also drink water when it is available and will dig shallow depressions called “watering holes” to capture rainwater.
What do desert tortoises eat in the wild?
Desert tortoises eat a variety of plants including cacti grasses and wildflowers.
How much water do desert tortoises need?
Desert tortoises get the water they need from the plants they eat and from the occasional rainstorm.
They can go long periods without drinking water.
What is the temperature range that desert tortoises can tolerate?
Desert tortoises can tolerate a wide range of temperatures from hot summers to cold winters.
What is the lifespan of a desert tortoise?
The lifespan of a desert tortoise is 20-60 years.
Where do desert tortoises live?
Desert tortoises are found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
What type of habitat do desert tortoises prefer?
Desert tortoises prefer habitats with a dense cover of vegetation such as Joshua tree woodlands and mixed desert scrub.
How much space do desert tortoises need?
Desert tortoises need a large area to roam as they may travel several miles in a single day.
What is the primary threat to desert tortoises?
The primary threat to desert tortoises is habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities such as development grazing and off-road vehicle use.
Are desert tortoises protected under the law?
Yes desert tortoises are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act and the California Desert Tortoise Natural Heritage Act.
How can I help protect desert tortoises?
You can help protect desert tortoises by supporting conservation efforts and by making sure not to disturb their habitat.
What should I do if I find a desert tortoise?
If you find a desert tortoise you should leave it where it is and not disturb it.
What should I do if I see someone harassing a desert tortoise?
If you see someone harassing a desert tortoise you should contact the local authorities.
What should I do if I hit a desert tortoise with my car?
If you hit a desert tortoise with your car you should take it to a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center.
What should I do if I find an injured desert tortoise?
If you find an injured desert tortoise you should take it to a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center.
What should I do if I find a dead desert tortoise?
If you find a dead desert tortoise you should take it to a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center.
