What is a desert turtle?

The

desert turtle (Gopherus agassizili), a reptile that usually occurs in the sandy areas of the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, can live for more than 100 years. Fully grown, creature has green, brown or black shell and generally can reach up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) in length, up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) and a weight of £ 15 (6.8 kilograms). The desert tortoise is partly due to the development of its habitat, the deserts of Mojave and Sonoran in California, Nevada and Utah, considered an endangered species.

Territorial nature, desert turtle generally spends a lifetime in one place. Most reptile life is digested in burrows that can be up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) underground and can reach a length of 30 feet (9.1 meters). Sharp claws and round, stubborn legs help the turtle maneuver through sand and dig burrows. The underground lair protects the tortoise from predators and the summer heat of May it reaches 140 ° Fahrenheit (60 ° Celsius) and the winter of cold deserts. Around November to February, the cold -blooded turtle hibernace in your underground lair.

In spring, the vegetarian desert turtle is busy hunting food, which can include grass, shrubs, flowers, cacti and legumes. Plants provide moisture for reptiles in an arid desert. With water at least in the desert, the turtle will often dig holes in the soil in preparation for when it rains. Creation is able to access water from the bladder if necessary.

At the age of 15 to 20 years, desert turtles are able to reproduce. Turtles generally combine at the end of summer or early autumn. The males make the sound of grinding to attract a friend and even fight other men for the right to connect with women. The woman usually lays four to six eggs that can take three or four months for hatching.

During the period of reproduction, a woman can lay eggs up to three times. The weather plays a role in determining the sex of hatchling. Colder temperatures with more likelyThey will bring a female hatchery and men are more suitable to make them during warmer weather.

slowly moving ground residents, few of the hatched turtles live in adulthood. Before they reach maturity, the turtles are set with creatures including ravens, runners on roads and coyotes. The native Americans ate reptiles after baking on the fire.