Desert Tortoise Troubles
What do you think it is in someone's character that makes them roll a boulder in front of a desert tortoise den or to step on the den and crush it, killing the tortoise inside? What could make someone do such a thing?
Stupidity comes to mind. Could be little boys. Big boys. Men. Do you think women are doing this? I've no idea. Must be a macho thing.
Desert tortoises,Gopherus agassizi, are found in southeastern California, southwestern Utah and southern Arizona and are considered endangered. Tortoises also are found in the Mexican state of Sonora.
Elsewhere in tortoise country, off-road vehicles ruin turtle habitat by compacting soil and destroying vegetation. This habitat is rather delicate. The soil is called "friable," which means it breaks apart easily whether it is in the flat alluvial fans of seasonal waterways or on rocky slopes. Compaction of soil ruins it for den-making by tortoises, and destruction of vegetation depletes food sources and shelter from desert sun. Since turtles get liquid by eating cactus pads and other juicy vegetation, damage to such vegetation can harm the tortoises.
It isn't easy being a desert tortoise in the first place, so killing them and ruining habitat makes life more difficult. Only about one percent of young tortoises survive predation, the elements and people. Those that do survive can grow to 11 inches and one captive made it to about 17 inches.
The penalty for hurting the tortoise is $200,000 but you wouldn't want to bet on how many prosecutions there are.
The Law and the Desert Tortoise
Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee
Desert Tortoise Care Sheet great photo
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