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Denizen of the Desert
The Mojave population of desert tortoise is a federally listed threatened species whose designated critical habitat is often within the boundaries of solar energy projects. Developers must take steps to protect California’s state reptile, including closely monitoring and relocating tortoises.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
Translocating tortoises
Translocation: Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
A year in the life of a desert tortoise: Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Predators
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
Characteristics of the desert tortoise: 1. Spade-like front foot and leg for digging, 2. Males have curved horns protruding from their shells, which they use for combat and nudging females during courtship, 3. Drinks water through nose, 4. Beak used for tearing up plants for food.
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Weight:
8-15 lbs |
Height:
4-6 in.; shell length 8-15 in. |
Lifespan:
50-80 years |
Diet:
Herbs, grasses, cactus, wildflowers |
Translocating tortoises
Thirteen commercial-scale solar projects have been approved or constructed within the habitat of the Mojave subspecies of desert tortoise. As a result, wildlife officials anticipate that about 174 desert tortoises will require “translocation.” Because the tortoise is a protected species, solar developers must follow strict guidelines:
Translocation: Step 1
Tortoises are transported to a temporary holding area, where they will stay for up to 18 months. At the Ivanpah solar project, a nursery for hatchlings was established nearby.
Step 2
Tortoises undergo disease testing and are microchipped so they can be monitored using telemetry. Diseased tortoises are removed from the site.
Step 3
At the holding area, biologists try to re-create natural burrows by using sand and scat from their original homes, orienting them to match their old burrows.
Step 4
Tortoises are released within their home range, where there are unoccupied burrows, shrubs and rocky outcroppings. They are monitored for at least five years.
A year in the life of a desert tortoise: Spring
Emerge from burrows mid-March to feed on plants, preferring fresh grass and wildflowers for the first 6 weeks.
Summer
Most active March through October.
Fall
Egg laying season is April to mid-July. Incubation period is 90 to 120 days. Females lay 1-14 eggs.
Winter
Hibernate in burrows November to March.
Predators
Hatchlings are vulnerable to predation by ravens, foxes and coyotes, and fewer than 10% make it to adulthood.
