c95180ace0a84b2687bed3cc783cfbc5

Desert tortoise, Saguaro National Park, 2015.

Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) will spend 95% of their lives in underground burrows. These amazing creatures can live in areas with ground temperatures exceeding 140 degrees because they dig underground burrows to escape the intense heat. At least 95% of their lives are spent in these burrows which protect them not only from extreme heat but also from freezing weather during their dormancy from November through February/March. Well known to most, desert tortoises grow very slowly, often taking 16 years or longer to reach just 8 inches in length. They won't reach reproductive maturity until they're 15 to 20 years of age and at least 7 inches in length. Though it may be important to note that 10-year old reproductive females have been observed.

U.S. National Park Service

Permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this website.

Public domain

Image

Saguaro National Park, Code: SAGU

National Park Service Facebook Photos

Title: Saguaro National Park
URL: https://www.facebook.com/saguaronationalpark?fref=ts

20150714

07/14/2015

Organization: Saguaro National Park
Address: 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730-5601

Friday, December 9, 2016 8:57:15 AM

Thursday, August 10, 2017 8:52:20 AM

tortoise.jpg

Monday, January 1, 0001 12:00:00 AM

jpg

380.1 kB

Scenic